Moses Lake man sentenced for stabbing

EPHRATA — A Moses Lake man was sentenced in Grant County Superior Court for a stabbing and for his part in a January 2008 attempted murder.

Ricardo Benavidez, 29, pleaded guilty to two counts of assault in the third degree between the two cases.

Grant County Superior Court Judge Evan Sperline sentenced him to a year in jail.

Benavidez was riding in a car with Miguel Solis Jr., 25, Moses Lake, and Jose Solis, 21, Moses Lake when they took Raul Vasquez from Pasco, Wash., to the Columbia National Wildlife Refuge in January 2008, according to the Grant County Sheriff’s report.

Miguel Solis Jr. then told Vasquez to get out of the car and accused him of being a “snitch,” according to the report. Then the brothers started shooting at Vasquez. The victim was struck in the neck and shoulder, but managed to escape.

The brothers were sentenced in December. Miguel Solis Jr. is serving 30 years. Jose Solis is serving seven-and-a-half years. Benavidez testified at the trial for Miguel Solis Jr.

In a second case, Benavidez stabbed a man outside of Airway Deli in Moses Lake.

The victim stopped by the store at 3:30 a.m. and when leaving, saw Benavidez waiting in his car, according to court records.

Benavidez called out to the victim and the victim swore at him. Benavidez then got out of his car and asked if the victim had a problem with him. The victim replied “no,” according to the sheriff’s report.

When Benavidez approached him, the victim got into a fighting stance. He became distracted by someone else getting out of Benavidez’s car and Benavidez took the opportunity to stab the victim, according to court records.

The victim thought Benavidez punched him at first, then he felt a wetness spreading from his abdomen. He lifted his shirt and saw the wound.

Benavidez fled the scene, according to police reports.