Gang member convicted of threatening witness

EPHRATA - A Royal City gang member will serve time in prison for intimidating a man who saw Jose Nieves shoot at a police officer.

A Grant County jury convicted Salvador Garcia Sanchez, 20, of intimidating a witness, felony harassment and bail jumping after an 1.5 hours of deliberation.

Garcia Sanchez' criminal history includes robbery in the first degree, kidnapping in the first degree and custodial assault as a juvenile, according to the prosecutor's office. He faces a sentencing range of two years and seven months to three years and five months plus possible additional time after the jury agreed his crimes were done to benefit his gang.

"This case shows that a Grant County jury will not tolerate criminal street gang intimidation.  Neither will this office," Prosecutor Angus Lee stated. "This is a very serious crime and we will be seeking the maximum sentence."

The victim was driving the car when Nieves shot at a Soap Lake police officer in November 2010. The officer was attempting to stop the car when the shooting occurred, according to court records.

The victim was riding in a car with a friend, roughly a month and a half after the incident, when Garcia Sanchez and a juvenile reportedly stepped in front of the car, according to the police report. Investigators reported Garcia Sanchez is a gang member.

When the driver stopped, both Garcia Sanchez and the juvenile reportedly tried opening the passenger's side door, according to the Grant County sheriff's report. They were unable to open the door, and Garcia Sanchez pounded on the window, threatening to beat up and kill the victim.