Tenth and Eleventh Gang Members Plead Guilty In Dodge City Racketeering Case

Two members of a Dodge City street gang have entered guilty pleas, becoming the tenth and eleventh defendants to plead guilty in a federal racketeering case, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today.

Joshua Flores , 25, Dodge City, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of brandishing a firearm in a crime of violence. Hernan Quezada , 20, Dodge City, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of assault with a dangerous weapon, which was a violent crime in aid of racketeering.

In his plea, Joshua Flores admitted that he was a member of the Los Carnales Chingones street gang affiliated with the Norteno street gang on June 8, 2009, when he and other gang members who were armed with firearms robbed a victim named Isidro Raleas-Velasquez and other persons.

The victims were at their home at 1005 Avenue E in Dodge City when Flores and three other men affiliated with the Nortenos broke into their residence armed with firearms. One of the Nortenos grabbed a victim, struck him in the head with a firearm and took him into another room. Flores joined the other Nortenos in going through the house looking for other residents to rob. The other Norteno beat the victim he took into the other room. During the robbery, Raelas-Velasquez was struck with a firearm in the head, causing a large laceration. After the robbery, Flores and the other Norteno gang members divided up the proceeds of the robbery.

In his plea, Hernan Quezada admitted he was a member of the Diablos Viejos (DV) street gang affiliated with the Norteno street gang when on Feb. 5, 2012, he assaulted a victim named Reyes Bocanegra. Quezada was at 1200 Avenue I in Dodge City when he got into a fight with Bocanegra’s brother, Oscar. The fight was soon joined by Reyes Bocanegra, aiding his brother, and two other DV gang members, aiding Quezada. Quezada struck Reyes Bocanegra in the head with a bottle, causing a laceration to the top of his head.

Flores and Quezada admitted that robberies, assaults and other crimes were part of the way Norteno gang members built their reputations and kept their rivals at bay.

Flores is set for sentencing Sept. 9. He faces a penalty of not less than seven years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. Quezada is set for sentencing Sept. 13 He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000.