Kansas Gang Member Sentenced to 10 Years

A member of a Dodge City street gang has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for his role in a violent crime spree that left one man dead and another injured in 2009. Russell Worthey, 25, of Dodge City, Kansas, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit racketeering and one count of possessing and discharging a firearm in a crime of violence.

The crime occurred on June 8, 2009, when Worthey and his co-defendant, Anthony Wright, drove to a trailer park in Dodge City, where they encountered a group of Hispanic males they believed to be members of a rival gang. Worthey admitted in his plea that he and his co-defendants fired at the group, striking and killing Israel Peralta, 22, and injuring Mariano Sorano.

The case was investigated by the Dodge City Police, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Ford County Sheriff’s Office, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, and the Ford County Attorney’s Office. U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom praised the agencies involved in the case, saying they worked together to bring Worthey to justice.

Worthey’s sentencing is the latest development in a large-scale racketeering case that involved 23 defendants, including Worthey and Wright. Worthey’s co-defendant, Anthony Wright, is set to be sentenced on February 10, 2023.

The Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, also known as the RICO Act, allows prosecutors to charge individuals with crimes related to organized crime, including murder, robbery, and assault. Worthey’s guilty plea marked a significant victory for law enforcement in their efforts to combat gang violence in Kansas.

The sentence handed down to Worthey marks the latest in a string of high-profile cases involving gang violence in Kansas. As the state continues to grapple with the issue, law enforcement and prosecutors remain committed to bringing gang members to justice and making communities safer.

A spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney’s Office praised the bravery of the victims and their families, saying they have shown remarkable strength and resilience in the face of tragedy. The case serves as a reminder of the devastating consequences of gang violence and the importance of community support and resources in preventing it.

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