18-Year-Old Man Who Led Law Enforcement on Dangerous High-Speed Chase Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison

Yakima, Washington – Acting United States Attorney Richard R. Barker announced that United States District Judge Mary K. Dimke sentenced Angel Omar Zuniga-Soriano, age 18, to 144 months in prison on one count of Felon in Possession of a Firearm. Judge Dimke also imposed 3 years of supervised release.

According to court documents and information presented at the sentencing hearing, on June 29, 2024, Zuniga-Soriano, who is involved with the Sureno street gang, was driving a vehicle matching the description of a vehicle used in a robbery earlier that same day in Wapato, Washington. When a police officer in Toppenish, Washington, spotted the vehicle, he activated his overhead lights and attempted to stop the vehicle. Instead, Zuniga-Soriano sped-off and led police on a high-speed chase. Zuniga-Soriano drove on the busy interstate between Toppenish, Sunnyside, and Zillah at speeds of more than 100 miles per hour. During the pursuit, Zuniga-Soriano fired one bullet out of the driver’s side window.

Ultimately, Zuniga-Soriano pulled into a convenience store parking lot in Zillah, attempting to drive thru the lot.  In an effort to reduce risk to the public, a law enforcement officer then rammed his police vehicle into the vehicle Zuniga-Soriano was driving. As a result, the sergeant driving the police vehicle was injured.

Even still, Zuniga-Soriano was undeterred.  He took off running, throwing a Glock pistol into a nearby yard.  After a lengthy foot pursuit, law enforcement tackled Zuniga-Soriano in a nearby field.  When the Glock pistol was recovered, law enforcement observed that the gun had a “Glock switch,” which is a modification that attaches to the rear of a Glock handgun and is designed to convert it from semi-automatic firearm into an automatic machine gun.

Zuniga-Soriano subsequently provided a recorded statement to law enforcement.  Zuniga-Soriano stated that he used to be a “demonic demon” and explained that he used to try to drown puppies in his toilet.  He further advised that he tries to stay away from certain people; otherwise, he ends up falling back to his old ways and “my demonic self comes into me.” Zuniga-Soriano explained that he was not actual a gang member, but was a gang associate.  When asked about the instant case, Zuniga-Soriano stated he had ingested marijuana, blacked out, and could only recall part of what had happened.

In that same interview, Zuniga-Soriano attempted to claim that he was not actually firing at law enforcement.  Rather, according to Zuniga-Soriano, he was going to commit suicide during the pursuit.  He claimed that he put the gun to his head, but dropped it, which caused the gun to discharge.  When the detective advised Zuniga-Soriano that a Glock firearm does not discharge when you drop it, Zuniga-Soriano recanted and then claimed that he tried to take the gun apart during the pursuit, which caused it to discharge.

Ultimately, an extended firearm magazine was recovered from inside the vehicle Zuniga-Soriano was driving.  Law enforcement subsequently test-fired the Glock firearm and discovered that it was capable of firing multiple rounds by a single trigger press.

At the sentencing hearing, Judge Dimke pointed out that despite Zuniga-Soriano only being 18 years of age this was his third firearm conviction.  Judge Dimke also explained that she took into account the dangerousness of the instant offense in pronouncing the twelve-year sentence.

“The seriousness and nature of this offense cannot be understated,” Acting U.S. Attorney Rich Barker said.  “I am grateful for the courage of the brave law enforcement officers, who ensured Mr. Zuniga-Soriano would not escape apprehension that day.  Obviously firing a gun from a vehicle is extremely dangerous.  However, attempting to elude police officers at such high rates of speed on public roadways presents an equally dangerous risk to our citizens.  Had it not been for a sergeant with the Toppenish Police Department, who put his own life at risk to immediately stop the pursuit, innocent lives of motorists and their families could have been tragically lost.  I also am grateful for Assistant United States Attorney Tom Hanlon’s excellent work on this case. For decades, AUSA Hanlon has dedicated his career to seeking justice and handling many of the most challenging and significant cases within our Yakima office.” 

“It is amazing that more people were not injured, or worse, by Mr. Zuniga-Soriano’s reckless actions.” said W. Mike Herrington, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Seattle field office. “It is clear from his blatant disregard for the welfare of innocent people that the community will be safer with him behind bars. I commend the brave actions of our partners who were able to bring him into custody despite his irresponsible and dangerous attempts to evade accountability.”

Based on severity of the Zuniga-Soriano’s actions, and due to the nature of the type of firearm utilized in the offense, the Southeast Washington Safe Streets Task Force was contacted.  The Southeast Washington Safe Streets Task Force consists of law enforcement officers from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Border Patrol, the Yakima County Sheriff’s Office, and the Toppenish Police Department.  Along with the Safe Streets Task Force, the case was investigated by the Toppenish Police Department, the Yakima County Sheriff’s Office, the Yakama Nation Police Department, the Granger Police Department, the Wapato Police Department, the Washington State Patrol, the Zillah Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney and Yakima Branch Manager Thomas J. Hanlon.

Case 1:24-cr-02069-MKD