Anthony Wright, Racketeering, Kansas 2023

WICHITA, KAN. – A brutal act of gang violence has led to two convictions in a federal racketeering case. Two members of a Dodge City street gang have pleaded guilty to various charges, with one facing a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000.

Anthony Wright, 27, Dodge City, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit racketeering and one count of discharging a firearm in a crime of violence. Wright's crime dates back to June 8, 2009, when he was involved in the murder of Israel Peralta in Dodge City.

According to Wright's plea, he was a member of the Norteno street gang when he participated in the murder. Wright admitted that as a member of the Nortenos, he was part of an ongoing criminal enterprise that used murder, robbery, assault, and the threat of violence to protect and expand its operations. He also admitted to participating in the sale of methamphetamine while he was a Norteno.

Jose Neave, 23, Dodge City, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of attempted murder in furtherance of racketeering. In his plea, Neave admitted that he was a member of the Diablos Viejos and was associated with the Nortenos street gang on Aug. 27, 2011, when he and other Nortenos attacked a group of men at 703 9th Avenue in Dodge City. Neave wielded a knife during the fight, and victims Gabriel Rivera and Carlos Ramirez were stabbed.

Wright is set for sentencing on July 8 and faces a penalty of not less than 10 years and a fine up to $250,000 on the firearms charge. Neave is also set for sentencing on July 8 and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years and a fine up to $250,000 on the racketeering charge.

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

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ks/pr/two-gang-members-plead-guilty-dodge-city-racketeering-case