21 Year-Old Moxee Gang Member Sentenced to 12 Years In Federal Prison for Possessing Firearms in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime

Yakima, Washington – On January 24, 2023, United States District Judge Mary K. Dimke
sentenced Alexis Sanchez-Gomez, 21, of Moxee, Washington, to 12 years in federal prison after
his guilty plea to Possession of Firearms in Furtherance of a Drug-Trafficking crime. Sanchez-
Gomez, a documented member of the Lower Valley Locos (“LVL”) street gang, will also begin
five years of court supervision after he is released from custody.

According to information disclosed during court proceedings, on October 21, 2021, there was a
gang related drive-by shooting in the City of Yakima. A 34-year old man was killed while
simply walking down the sidewalk wearing red colored clothing. As in communities up and
down the West Coast, the color red is associated with some Norteno street gangs in the Yakima
Valley, while the color blue is associated with some Sureno street gangs. The Yakima Police
Department immediately began an investigation. Law enforcement gathered evidence that
established that the shooter was likely a member or associated with a Sureno street gang. As the
investigation progressed, the lead detective discovered that after the drive-by shooting, the
shooter fled to Sanchez-Gomez’s residence in Moxee, Washington. The Yakima Police
Department coordinated with the Moxee Police Department and gathered additional information.

On November 19, 2021, the Yakima Police Department and other law enforcement agencies
executed a search warrant at the Sanchez-Gomez residence. Officers entered the residence and
discovered a marijuana grow operation and a quantity of methamphetamine. Officers entered the
Defendant’s bedroom and observed that it was decorated with gang-related graffiti. The officers
also discovered three firearms, including an AK-47 style rifle. As the search continued, the
officers discovered magazines and ammunition. DEA was contacted and began an investigation,
which revealed that Sanchez-Gomez had been selling methamphetamine. DEA also discovered
that Sanchez-Gomez had repeated contacts with law enforcement in recent years. The DEA
discovered that in October 2019, Sanchez-Gomez attempted to elude a police vehicle and was
involved in a hit-and-run. Two months later, in December 2019, Sanchez-Gomez was again
arrested after being found in possession of a firearm. In September 2020, Sanchez-Gomez was
sentenced to 90 days in jail for the three felony offenses.

Vanessa R. Waldref, the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington,
commended the joint efforts of law enforcement: “Gang-related violence is a scourge in the
Yakima Valley and elsewhere. My office will continue to work with law enforcement professionals                                                      from multiple agencies to investigate and prosecute armed individuals who are
involved with drugs and criminal street gangs. Removing these individuals from society will
make all of our neighborhoods and communities safer and stronger.”

According to DEA, the drive-by shooting investigation was completed, and resulted in the
Yakima Police Department arresting both the suspected driver and suspected shooter. The cases
are currently pending in Yakima County Superior Court. “This investigation demonstrates how
seriously DEA takes its obligations to its state, local, and federal partners. We are committed to
bringing our investigative expertise whenever necessary against individuals who seek to harm
our communities,” said Jacob D. Galvan, Acting Special Agent in Charge, DEA Seattle Field
Division.

Matt Murray, Chief of the Yakima Police Department, highlighted the close working relationship
between YPD, DEA, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office. “Meaningfully addressing violent crime –
and the drug and gun crimes that so often turn violent – requires a collaborative effort between
all of our local and federal partners. This case is just one example of the ways we work together
to reduce and address crime and improve the lives and safety of the people in this community.”
Chief Murray also urged anyone involved in lives of violence and crime to change what they are
doing: “STOP now. Take the assistance that is available through our community partners to
change your life. If you do not stop engaging in violence, we will engage to stop you. As this
case shows, the result may be a lengthy sentence in state or federal custody.”

This case was prosecuted under the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) program. PSN is a
federal, state, and local law enforcement collaboration to identify, investigate, and prosecute
individuals responsible for violent crimes in our neighborhoods. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is
partnering with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement to specifically identify the
criminals responsible for violent crime in the Eastern District of Washington and pursue criminal
prosecution.

This case was investigated by the Yakima Police Department, the Moxee Police Department, and
the Drug Enforcement Administration. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States
Attorney Tom Hanlon.

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