DOJ Seal

Department of Justice

U.S. Attorney's Office
District of Kansas

For Immediate Release

Monday, January 27, 2014
Barry Grissom
, United States Attorney
Contact: Jim Cross

Gang Member Sentenced to 10 Years in Dodge City Racketeering Case

WICHITA, KAN. - A member of a Dodge City street gang was sentenced Monday to 10 years in federal prison, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said.

Russell Worthey, 25, Dodge City, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit racketeering and one count of possessing and discharging a firearm in a crime of violence. In his plea, Worthey admitted he was a member of the Norteno street gang when he was involved in the murder of Israel Peralta on June 8, 2009, in Dodge City. Worthey aided and abetted in the murder as well as an assault with deadly weapons upon the victims.

On the day of the murder, Worthey and co-defendant Anthony Wright were driving around Dodge City in Wright’s car. In a trailer park in the south part of town they ran across a group of Hispanic males at 201 E. McArtor, Lot 24. The males appeared to be members of a rival gang, the Surenos.

Later that day, Worthey, Wright and two other Nortenos went to the trailer park. Worthey was in the front passenger seat and Wright was driving. Two other Nortenos were riding in the back seat. When Wright parked the car, the two Nortenos in the back seat got out and ran toward the Hispanic males at Lot 24, with Worthey and Wright following. The two Nortenos in the lead fired at the men at Lot 24. Israel Peralta was struck several times by the gunfire and died from the injuries. Mariano Sorano also was struck by gunfire. The four Nortenos got back in their car and drove away from the scene.

In his plea, Worthey admitted that as a member of the Nortenos he was part of an ongoing criminal enterprise. The gang used murder, robbery, assault and the threat of violence to protect and expand its operations. He was one of 23 defendants indicted in May 2012 under a federal law called the RICO Act (Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act.

Co-defendant Anthony Wright is set for sentencing Feb. 10.

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

 

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Kansas City Field Division