Third man sentenced in gang-related robbery

EPHRATA - A third man was sentenced to 90 days in jail for helping to steal a dead gang member's dog.

Erik Martinez, 18, of Moses Lake, pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct in Grant County Superior Court, according to court records.

Prosecutors initially charged Martinez with first-degree robbery and second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm, according to court records. The charges were lessened as part of a plea agreement.

Grant County Superior Court Judge John Antosz followed the prosecutor's recommendation sentencing Martinez to 90 days in jail.

Christopher J. McCarrell, 25, of Moses Lake, and Emilio E. Hinojosa, 17, of Moses Lake, previously pleaded guilty to first-degree robbery in connection to the crime, according to court records. McCarrell also pleaded guilty to first-degree unlawful possession of a firearm. Hinojosa also pleaded guilty to second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm.

The three gang members, along with fellow gang member Thomas Henderson, 17, of Soap Lake, were accused of robbing a man for a dog, which belonged to Luis Martinez, according to court records. Luis Martinez was shot and stabbed to death during a 2011 fight at a Soap Lake party.

Eric Martinez went to a Denton Road trailer outside of Moses Lake to collect Luis Martinez's dog, according to a Grant County sheriff's report. After Luis Martinez' death, his dog was taken to an animal shelter, where the alleged victim adopted it four months prior to the crime, according to the police report.

After a woman picked up Eric Martinez, they reportedly picked up McCarrell, Henderson and Hinojosa, according to the police report. Eric Martinez told them they were going to get the dog whether the victim liked it or not.

The group pulled into the victim's driveway as he was smoking a cigarette, according to the police report. The four gang members, wearing bandanas around their necks, reportedly got out of the vehicle, and Eric Martinez told the man he came to get the dog.

The victim told Eric Martinez he purchased the dog, and he wanted money if they were going to take it, according to the police report. As they were talking, McCarrell reportedly unchained the dog and put it in the SUV. He entered the residence and the victim's girlfriend yelled at him to get out.

The victim told police they were talking when sheriff's deputies arrived on the scene, according to the police report. Officers saw McCarrell exiting the residence.

Police found two shotguns in the SUV and a .40 caliber pistol on McCarrell, according to the police report.

Eric Martinez told police he went to speak to the victim alone and agreed to pay for the dog before police arrived. When police questioned why they had guns and were wearing bandanas, Eric Martinez couldn't explain it.

Two other alleged incidents are connected to Luis Martinez' death, including a robbery and an attack on people at a motel room, according to court records.

Henderson remains charged with first-degree robbery, according to court records.

Hinojosa was sentenced to two years and 6.75 months in prison, according to court records. McCarrell was sentenced to three years and 6.75 months in prison.