A Lancaster man who gunned down an all-terrain vehicle enthusiast in the desert 2 1/2 years ago was sentenced Thursday to 45 years to life in state prison.
Arturo Lopez, 41, was found guilty June 2 of second-degree murder for the Feb. 23, 2014, shooting death of Steven Finson, 47, of Lancaster.
Lopez was also convicted of one count each of conspiracy to commit a crime and offering false evidence, along with three counts of possession of a firearm by a felon.
Finson’s body was found Feb. 24, 2014, on the ground near his ATV in the 13300 block of East Avenue H in Lancaster, about eight hours after family members reported that he had failed to return from the desert.
Finson was shot by Lopez while riding and taking pictures in the desert, according to Deputy District Attorney John Evans.
Lopez was arrested by Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies two months later and has remained behind bars since then.
–City News Service