Quincy gang member sentenced for attack

EPHRATA - A Quincy gang member is serving more than a year in prison after attacking two people with a two-by-four during a fight.

Julian A. Ortega, 19, pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree assault in Grant County Superior Court, according to court records.

Ortega was initially charged with one count of first-degree assault in June. The charges were changed as part of the plea agreement, according to court records.

Ortega's previous felony convictions include first-degree theft, felony harassment and second-degree burglary, according to court records. When combined with his present crimes, he faced a sentencing range of a year and three months to a year and eight months in prison.

Grant County Superior Court Judge Evan Sperline followed the recommendation of the prosecutor and defense attorney, sentencing Ortega to a year and four months in prison.

Quincy police responded to a report of rival gang members making gang-related gestures at each other, according to a Quincy police report. When the officer neared, a witness pointed to a fight in an alley between B and C Streets Northeast. When the officer arrived, he saw Ortega hitting another man across his arms with a two-by-four.

After the officer drew his weapon and told Ortega to stop, the gang member dropped the board. He and two other gang members then started running.

When the officer approached the area, he spotted a girl lying on her back, according to the police report. The officer followed Ortega to a residence where he was hiding under a boat.

The girl and male victim were walking on Central Avenue when Ortega and two other gang members challenged them to a fight, according to the police report. When they entered the alley, the girl tried to get between her boyfriend and Ortega when Ortega kicked her in the stomach and hit her in the face with a board, knocking her out.