Pasco 18-year-old gets 4 years on gun charge

Kristin M. Kraemer, Herald staff writer

A Pasco teen with a lengthy felony record told a judge that the gang lifestyle is behind him because he only wants to do "what is right for my family and myself."

However, Jose Flores Jr., 18, was still sentenced this week to four years in prison for a reported clash Aug. 27 between several "gang type members" and residents of a Pasco home.

"I ask for any possible leniency to help me get throughout this mess so that I can fulfill my role, not only as a man but a father and civilized rehabilitated man in society," Flores wrote in a letter titled, "Points to Cover to the Judge."

"This trip has really opened my eyes to how real things are," he added.

Flores pleaded guilty Oct. 20 in Franklin County Superior Court to first-degree unlawful possession of a firearm. He wasn't allowed to own or possess guns after an earlier first-degree burglary conviction.

He also entered an Alford plea to felony harassment, saying he denied committing the crime but believed prosecutors had enough evidence to convict him at trial.

Court documents state that officers were called to a North Douglas Avenue home at 1:27 p.m. for reports of a disturbance. Dispatch told police that "the gang type members were attempting to intimidate the residents and that more gang types were approaching" from another home.

A resident told Officer Patrick Barnett, the first officer on scene, that three males were causing the problems and had just walked away on East Broadway Boulevard. Barnett found the three suspects, all "dressed in what looked like gang attire," documents said.

The officer asked them to stop so he could determine their involvement in the altercation. Barnett had been told by dispatch that one of the males allegedly had a knife, so he told the men he needed to frisk them for weapons.

During a pat down of Flores, Barnett found a .22-caliber, fully loaded gun in the teen's pants pocket. Flores told the officer not to be "rough" with him as the suspect was pushed into the patrol car because, "I wasn't going to use it on you. It's for the other guy," court documents said.

Flores' criminal history includes seven juvenile convictions from Franklin and Walla Walla counties for malicious mischief, burglary, possession of stolen property and taking a vehicle without permission.

In the letter to the judge Tuesday, Flores said he is no longer a gang member and doesn't want to be "associated with the streets anymore" as a troublemaker. He said he "felt the need to have protection due to past issues" but has been focused on being a father to his kids.

Flores wrote that he plans to get an education and focus on a career once out of prison "in hopes of bettering my life for my kids overall."

"I know it's time for a major change in my life and hope that things will change out here in the streets with the wreckless [sic] violence," he added. "I don't want to be a part of it."

Police: Man took car without permission

A 21-year-old man is accused of stealing his mother's Jeep Cherokee, then running away when he was involved in a hit-and-run accident.

Jonathan Mendizaval Morales of Pasco denied having any involvement, but a witness identified him as the man who left the crash scene before police arrived, court documents said.

Morales pleaded innocent to second-degree taking a vehicle without permission. His trial is set for Jan. 6.

According to Pasco police, the Jeep was in an accident Aug. 20 at Ninth Avenue and Bonneville Street. Morales took off on foot westbound from the scene without first identifying himself, police said in court documents.

Officers then contacted the registered owner of the Jeep and found it belonged to Morales' mom. She said her son took it without her permission and she wanted him arrested for it, documents said.

A few minutes later, Morales was seen walking on 10th Avenue near Court Street. He was arrested on the allegation.

w Kristin M. Kraemer: 582-1531; kkraemer@tricityherald.com

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Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009

Pasco 18-year-old gets 4 years on gun charge

Kristin M. Kraemer, Herald staff writer