Six Gainsville gang members sent to prison

<p>Six members of northeast Georgia gang have been sentenced to prison in a case that authorities say dismantled the organization.</p><p>The six, sentenced Friday by U.S. District Judge Richard W. Story, were members of the street gang KES or "Killing Every Spot." Authorities said the gang sold cocaine and attempted murders in northeast Georgia for the past six years.</p><p>Five defendants pleaded guilty and were convicted in March on charges of violating the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations statute, commonly called RICO.</p><p>David Ramirez, 25, and his brother, Juan Ramirez, 28, both of Gainesville, received the stiffest sentences after accepting plea agreements.</p><p>Juan Ramirez, also charged with discharging a firearm in the commission of a violent felony, received 12 years and nine months in federal prison. David Ramirez was sentenced to 11 years and three months.</p><p>Carlos Alvarado-Castillo, 22, of Gainesville was sentenced to five years and three months; Adam Cruz, 24, of Gainesville received two years and nine months; and Rene Antonio Ortiz-Penado, 22, of Gainesville was sentenced to four years and nine months.</p><p>A co-defendant, Ignacio Chavez-Olivarez, 42, of Gainesville was sentenced to four years and three months in prison after pleading guilty to possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. He was not charged with violation of the RICO statute.</p><p>"This investigation took out most of the structure of KES," Hall County Sheriff Steve Cronic said.</p><p>Those convicted could face deportation after serving their prison time, Story said. All six men will serve about 90 percent of their sentences in federal prison, Cronic said.</p><p>U.S. Attorney David E. Nahmias said the investigation served "to dismantle the gang and take its key members off the streets."</p><p>___</p><p>HASH(0x1cd9dbc)</p>

http://accesswdun.com/article/2006/8/119023