Authorities in Magna are asking that anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of a man wanted for his role in a July murder. Salt Lake City resident Gino James Cecala, 46, was charged with murder, a first-degree felony, in the shooting death of Paige Espinoza, 25, in Magna. In an effort to obtain any information that would lead to his arrest there is a $1 million warrant that has been issued.
Espinoza, of Murray, was shot and killed inside of a bedroom around 5:15 a.m. on July 16. She was visiting a resident of the home at the time she was killed, and according to charging documents was shot both in the head and the leg. Investigators located 15 casings for 9mm ammunition outside the bedroom window at the murder scene. They later discovered that Espinoza's boyfriend had recently been in a gith with Cecala, who had then made "multiple threats" and saying he would kill both Espinoza and her boyfriend.
Cecala also faces additional charges of discharge of a firearm, a first-degree felony; obstructing justice and possession of a weapon by a restricted person, both second-degree felonies; and 13 counts of discharge of a firearm, a third-degree felony. Unified Police Department as well as the U.S. Marshals Office are asking the public for help in locating Cecala, and are urging anyone with information to call 385-468-9817.
According to court records Cecala has a lengthy criminal history dating back 1990, when he faced charges of attempted murder and pleaded guilty to charges of aggravated assault. He has also faced charges including stolen mail, a federal gun charge, and possession of meth with intent to distribute.
Photo courtesy of Unified Police Department