DOJ Seal

Department of Justice

U.S. Attorney's Office
District of Kansas

For Immediate Release

Monday, February 24, 2014
Barry Grissom
, United States Attorney
Contact: Jim Cross

Gang Member Sentenced in Dodge City Racketeering Case

WICHITA, KAN. - A member of a Dodge City street gang was sentenced Monday to 82 months in federal prison, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said.

Alfredo Beltran-Ruiz, 23, Dodge City, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and abetting attempted murder, which was a violent crime in aid of racketeering. In his plea, he admitted that on March 15, 2011, he aided and abetted the attempted murder of a victim named Reyes Delira-Padilla by firing shots at the victim’s house at 1705 Ave. D in Dodge City. Beltran-Ruiz was a member of the Diablos Viejos gang and was affiliated with the Norteno street gang. Delira-Padilla was a member of the rival Sureno gang.

Beltran-Ruiz is one of 22 Norteno gang members who have been convicted on charges contained in a federal indictment filed May 2012. It was only the second time a federal RICO Act indictment (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act) has been filed in Kansas. Two defendants are awaiting sentencing: Juan Torres and Jayson Vargas.

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 Aaron Smith and Assistant U.S. Attorney Lanny Welch for their work on the case.

 

###

Kansas City Field Division