Moses Lake man sentenced for punching security guard

EPHRATA - A Moses Lake man with numerous felony convictions was sentenced to about two years in prison for punching a security guard and trying to spit on arresting police officers following a fight at a night club.

Patricio Moncada, 34, was arrested at a Moses Lake casino in April after he and an unidentified man were caught fighting near the bathrooms. The unidentified man left and Moncada punched a security guard in the head when he broke up the fight, according to the police report. The security officer held down Moncada until police arrived, according to the police report.

Papa's Casino staff told police Moncada was previously banned from the business, according to the police report.

After he was put into handcuffs, the arresting officers said Moncada tried to spit on them numerous times, but they put his shirt over his face so he could not, according to the police report. Officers reported Moncada was trying to intimidate the witnesses by "glaring and grunting" at them while being arrested.

Moncada was convicted of possession of methamphetamine and cocaine, burglary, assault, felon in possession of a firearm and felony malicious mischief in Grant County.