Fourth man sentenced in gang-related kidnapping

EPHRATA - The fourth person, accused in a gang-related kidnapping in September, was sentenced to 72 days in jail.

Angel M. Ramirez, 19, of Warden, entered an Alford plea to riot while armed in Grant County Superior Court, according to court records. An Alford plea means Ramirez doesn't admit to committing the crime, but felt he would be convicted if brought to trial. Prosecutors initially charged Ramirez with second-degree kidnapping, according to court records. The charge was lessened in a plea agreement.

"The first alleged victim in this case retracted her earlier statement and there was no evidence corroborating the existence of a gun," Prosecutor Angus Lee stated. "The other alleged victim would not cooperate at all. Additionally, both alleged victims have a significant history of drug use. Without establishing the existence of a gun there was no way to establish a kidnapping in this case, only unlawful imprisonment."

Ramirez' prior felony convictions included possession of methamphetamine and second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm, according to court records. He faced a sentencing range of no time in jail to 12 months in jail.

Grant County Superior Court Judge John Knodell sentenced Ramirez to 72 days in jail. Ramirez was the final person sentenced in the alleged kidnapping of two girls in September, according to court records. Scott F. Lopez, 20, of Warden, and Corina Caballero, 27, of Moses Lake, pleaded guilty to unlawful imprisonment, according to court records. Jack E. Thompson, 57, of Moses Lake, entered an Alford plea to one count of riot while armed.

Lopez found one of the victims at a friend's home and asked if she wanted to come outside and have some marijuana, according to the police report. The victim agreed, suggesting having it inside, but Lopez insisted they go around the corner.

When the victim allegedly got into the car with Caballero, Lopez and Angel Ramirez, 18, of Warden, she was assaulted, as Caballero drove to Warden, according to the police report. They picked up the second victim in Warden and assaulted the two women as they drove back to Moses Lake.

On the drive, one of the victims reported Lopez called Thompson. The victim allegedly heard Lopez and Thompson discuss taking them to a house to be killed, according to court records. Lopez held the women at gunpoint during the assault, according to the police report.

When the car stopped at a Stratford Road gas station, the victims forced their way out and escaped, according to court records. They made it to Papa's Casino, across the street, where they contacted police.

Thompson was arrested at the house the victims were allegedly being taken, according to court records.