14th Gang Member Pleads In Racketeering Case

A Dodge City gang member has pleaded guilty to a conspiracy charge in a federal racketeering case, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today.

Eusebio Sierra-Medrano , 33, Dodge City, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit crimes under the federal Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. In his plea, he admitted that from 2008 to May 2012 he participated in a criminal conspiracy in Dodge City involving members of the Norteno street gang and their affiliates, the Diablos Viejos and Los Carnales Chingones. Sierra-Medrano was a member of the Diablos Viejos.

On March 29, 2010, he and fellow gang members assaulted a Sureno gang member named Jose Arreola. They encountered Arreola at a convenience store at 400 E. Wyatt Earp in Dodge City. After a fellow gang member attacked Arreola with the handle of a windshield wiper, Sierra-Medrano joined in with a knife. He stabbed Arreola multiple times. The stabbing was in retaliation for the prior stabbing of two Nortenos.

On the same day as the stabbing, Sierra-Medrano was found to be in possession with intent to distribute cocaine. In his plea, he admitted that during that time he was distributing cocaine he obtained from California. The stabbing and the drug trafficking helped him to maintain his position with the Norteno enterprise.

Sentencing is set for Nov. 4. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000.

Sierra-Medrano was one of 23 Norteno members 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. Sierra-Medrano is the fourteenth defendant in the case to enter a guilty plea.