Gang Member Is Fifteenth To Plead Guilty In Dodge City Racketeering Case

WICHITA, KAN. – A Dodge City man has pleaded guilty to a charge of assault with a dangerous weapon in connection with a federal racketeering case, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today.

Andrew Gusman, 21, Dodge City, Kan., pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon, which was a violent crime in aid of racketeering. In his plea, Gusman admitted that on March 30, 2011, he was with fellow Norteno gang members including co-defendants Alfonso Banda-Hernandez, Enrique Gobin and Jesus Sanchez. At a Love’s convenience store in Dodge City, they encountered George Gonzalez, who was a member of the rival Sureno gang. They threw gang signs at Gonzales and attempted to start a fight.

Later that day, they again encountered Gonzalez and began chasing his car. Gusman and Banda-Hernandez were in one car, and Gobin and Sanchez were in another car. During the case, Sanchez fired shots at Gonzalez. After the shooting, the four defendants met outside of town.

Sentencing is set for Nov. 18. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. Gusman was one of 23 Norteno members to be indicted in May 2012. It was only the second time a federal RICO Act indictment (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act) had been filed in Kansas. Gusman is the fifteenth defendant in the case to enter a guilty plea.

Grissom commended the Dodge City Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Ford County Sheriff’s Office, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, Assistant Aaron Smith and Assistant U.S. Attorney Lanny Welch for their work on the case.