Vandal of Moses Lake buildings sentenced

Will serve four months in jail, pay $1,200 fine

EPHRATA - Jorge Gomez-Velazquez pleaded guilty to spray-painting graffiti on 18 buildings in downtown Moses Lake and was sentenced to four months in jail.

Twenty-three year-old Gomez-Velazquez pleaded guilty to one charge of malicious mischief in the first degree in Grant County Superior Court. Grant County Superior Court Judge John Antosz sentenced Gomez-Velazquez to four months in jail and a $1,200 fine.

A restitution hearing for the victims is scheduled for Oct. 20.

A Moses Lake officer spotted Gomez-Velazquez running into an alleyway on July 16, according to Grant County Superior Court records. When the officer followed Gomez-Velazquez into the alleyway, he saw him throw a can of spray paint.

Court records state when the officer confronted Gomez-Velazquez, he said he was going to Jack In The Box to meet friends. Later when officers asked him why a 23-year-old man would "tag" buildings, he replied he was trying to recapture his youth in Los Angeles.

Graffiti was located on buildings along Third Avenue, including the Boys & Girls Club, Calico Cat Thrift store, Calvary Chapel, Ciao Bella, Columbia Basin Herald, Consolidated Electrical Supply, Desert Development, Farmers Insurance, Furniture West, Grant County Public Utility District, Hang Out Tavern, Mattress Outlet, Mi Carniceria, Paramount Supply, Teddy Bear Car Care, The Home Center and The Nickel Saver.