Man serving six months for extortion

EPHRATA - A Moses Lake man threatened two boys and took items from them after accusing them of stealing from a dead gang member.

Enrique R. Castro, 21, Moses Lake, pleaded guilty to extortion in the second degree, three counts of harassment and two counts of theft in the third degree, according to Grant County Superior Court records.

Castro originally faced additional charges of two counts of robbery in the second degree and two counts of unlawful imprisonment, according to court records. The charges were dropped as part of the plea agreement.

"In this case there were several charges filed initially based off of the preliminary police reports. Once the final police reports were forwarded to this office they were reviewed.  At that point, it was determined that there was insufficient evidence to support all the charges originally filed so charges were amended to more accurately reflect the defendant's criminal conduct," Prosecutor Angus Lee stated. "It is important to note that this case resulted in a felony conviction and a significant period of incarceration."  

Castro had a prior conviction for burglary in the second degree, and was sentenced 16 days in jail, prior to committing the new set of crimes.

When combined with his present convictions he faced a sentencing range of three to eight months in jail, according to court records.

Grant County Superior Court Judge Evan Sperline followed part of a joint recommendation, sentencing Castro to seven months in jail with 20 days converted to 160 hours of community service. Prosecutors and defense originally requested 30 days to be converted to community service.

The August extortion is one of at least three Grant County Superior Court cases linked to the death of 18-year-old Luis Martinez. Martinez was shot and stabbed to death at a Soap Lake party in July.

Castro and Efrain Martinez, 20, Moses Lake, were standing in front of a Grape Drive residence when two juveniles were riding past the house, according to a Moses Lake police report. As they rode past, the two men called out for them to stop and come over. They initially refused, but when Castro appeared to get ready to chase them, they stopped and approached the two men.

They reportedly told one of the two boys to leave or they would beat him, according to the police report. They accused the second boy of breaking into Luis Martinez' house and stealing items. The victim denied being involved.

Before he died, several items, including a television and gaming console, were stolen from Martinez' house, according to court records.

In the confrontation, Castro took the victim's iPhone, and told him he wasn't getting it back. He ordered the boy to call his friend, who they felt was also involved in the burglary. When the second boy arrived, Castro went through his truck and took a speaker and a stereo, according to the police report.

They reportedly told the second victim to return to his house and get more items, according to the police report. They allegedly threatened to attack them if they found the boys were lying about not stealing the items.

The victims and a witness reported to the police an acquaintance of Castro and Efrain Martinez told them the boys were responsible for the theft, according to the police report.

Efrain Martinez still faces charges of two counts of robbery in the second degree, attempted extortion in the first degree, two counts of unlawful imprisonment, three counts of harassment and two counts of theft in the third degree.