Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

WICHITA, KAN. - Four members of a Dodge City street gang were sentenced and another pleaded guilty Monday in a federal racketeering case, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said.

Sentenced were:

Gonzalo Ramirez, 28, Dodge City, Kan., who was sentenced to life plus 57 years.

Pedro Garcia, 27, Dodge City, Kan., who was sentenced to life plus 32 years.

Donte Barnes, 22, Dodge City, Kan., who was sentenced to 32 months.

Jesus Flores, 28, Dodge City, Kan., who was sentenced to time served of 20 months.

Jayson Vargas, 31, Dodge City, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful possession of a stolen firearm. In his plea, he admitted that on Aug. 20, 2011, he was driving a car in pursuit of his former girlfriend, who was in another car. During the chase, he pointed a handgun at her. Officers of the Ford County Sheriff’s Office stopped Vargas’ car and arrested him. They seized a .45 caliber handgun.

Vargas is set for sentencing March 24. He faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000.

Among the defendants who were sentenced:

Gonzalo Ramirez was convicted in a jury trial on count one (conspiracy to commit racketeering), count two (conspiracy to commit murder), count three (murder), count four (attempted murder), count five (assault with a dangerous weapon), count six (possession and discharge of a firearm during a violent crime), count seven (assault with a dangerous weapon), count eight (conspiracy to commit assault with a dangerous weapon), count nine (brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence), count ten (conspiracy to commit murder), count 11 (attempted murder), count 12 (assault with a dangerous weapon), and count 13 (possession and discharge of a firearm during a violent crime).

Pedro Garcia was convicted in a jury trial on count one (conspiracy to commit racketeering), count two (conspiracy to commit murder), count three (murder), count four (attempted murder), count five (assault with a dangerous weapon), count six (possession and discharge of a firearm during a violent crime), count seven (assault with a dangerous weapon), count eight (conspiracy to commit assault with a dangerous weapon), and count nine (brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence).

Donte Barnes pleaded guilty to one count of attempted murder in aid of racketeering.

Jesus Flores pleaded guilty to one count of assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering and one count of conspiracy to commit assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering.

The defendants were among 23 members of the Norteno street gang indicted in May 2012. It was only the second time a federal RICO Act indictment (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act) had been filed in Kansas. Twenty two defendants have been convicted. Charges were dismissed without prejudice against defendant Adam Flores.

Grissom commended the Dodge City Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Ford County Sheriff?s Office, the Ford County Attorney’s Office, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, Assistant U.S. Attorney Lanny Welch and Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Smith for their work on the case.

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