Granger Sureno gang member convicted of murder on Yakama reservation | News

YAKIMA, Wash. – A Granger man who pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and assault with a dangerous weapon in Indian Country will spend the next 30 years in prison after being sentenced June 11.

Jaime Herrera, 29, a known member of the Sureno gang, which is not affiliated with the Yakama Nation, pleaded guilty to a shooting in Toppenish on July 19, 2017, that killed one person and injured another.

According to court documents, Herrera was driving when he stopped alongside two men who were walking and accused them of betraying the Sureno gang and shot them with a rifle.

The deceased victim was an enrolled member of the Yakama Nation. The other victim survived the shooting.

“While even the lengthy sentence imposed in this case cannot replace the tragic loss of life, today's sentence demonstrates that those who victimize members of our community – and particularly those who enter tribal communities to commit violence – will be held accountable,” the U.S. said. Master Vanessa Waldref.

While the murder investigation was underway, Herrera committed another unrelated murder in the Yakima Valley by staging an ambush and shooting and killing another person.

Herrera was arrested shortly after the second murder, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 20 years in prison.

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Herrera's two sentences, 30 years for one murder and 20 years for the other, will be served consecutively, meaning he will spend a total of 50 years in prison.