On July 8, 2010 defendant Tomas Ramirez, 22 of Pixley, was sentenced by the Honorable Judge Valeriano Saucedo to seven years in state prison for a gang-related assault with a deadly weapon.

On the morning of April 17, 2010, the victim was driving in the city of Pixley. Upon leaving a local gas station, the victim was followed by defendant Tomas Ramirez. Defendant Ramirez, a gang member, followed the victim and proceeded to ram his vehicle into the driver’s side of the victim’s vehicle. The defendant then proceeded to ram the rear of the victim’s vehicle before leaving the scene.

The victim was not injured during the incident. The victim immediately reported the incident to law enforcement. Deputies from the Tulare County Sheriff's Office shortly thereafter apprehended the defendant where he was taken into custody.

On June 18, 2010, defendant Ramirez pled guilty to assault with a deadly weapon (the vehicle) and admitted the special allegation that he committed the crime in furtherance of a criminal street gang. In addition to the seven-year prison sentence, the defendant will now have a strike offense on his record.
Upon release from prison, he will be required to register as a gang member with local law enforcement. Because the assault was committed with a vehicle, the defendant is forever barred from obtaining a driver’s license.

The case was investigated by the Tulare County Sheriff's Office.

Contact person: Shani D. Jenkins, Assistant District Attorney (559) 733-6411