Man gets 16 years in killing

A Costa Mesa gang member was sentenced to 16 years in prison Friday after pleading guilty to fatally stabbing a teenager in 2008.

Scott Santana, 25, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter as part of a plea deal. He had time tacked on for enhancements of being a gang member and using a knife during the crime.

Santana fatally stabbed 17-year-old Javier Paz Jan. 26, 2008, outside the El Metate Market, 817 W. 19th St. Police said the two were involved in a fight outside the market when Santana stabbed the teenager.

Paz was taken to Western Medical Center, where he died. Santana was arrested at his home the next morning by police.

Authorities said the fight was gang-related.

Santana was facing murder and street terrorism charges before his guilty plea Friday. Santana was sentenced to two prison terms, one six-year sentence followed by a 10-year sentence, court records show.

The incident was the first homicide in Costa Mesa since six were recorded in 2006. There were no homicides in the city in 2007 and just one in 2009.

Santana was a graduate of Newport Harbor High School in Newport Beach.