Sureños Gang Member Sentenced to 120 Months in Federal Prison for Brandishing a Firearm While Committing a Carjacking and Illegal Possession of a Firearm

 Spokane – Joseph H. Harrington, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Orlando Raul Rodriguez, a/k/a “Toon,” age 31, of Yakima, Washington, was sentenced today after having pleaded guilty on June 22, 2021, of brandishing a firearm while committing a crime of violence and for illegal possession of a firearm. United States District Judge Salvador Mendoza, Jr. sentenced Rodriguez to a 120-month term of imprisonment, to be followed by a 3-year term of court supervision after he is released from federal prison.

According to information disclosed during court proceedings, Rodriguez, a known member of the Sureños street gang, and three others lured the victim to a parking lot in downtown Yakima at approximately 9 a.m. on July 5, 2020. Rodriguez pointed a .22 caliber rifle at the victim and ordered the victim and his passenger out of the vehicle. Once the victim was out of the vehicle, one of Rodriguez’s accomplices drove the vehicle away with Rodriguez in the passenger seat. The victim and his passenger walked to a nearby business and called police. Officers from Yakima Police Department responded quickly and where able to locate and apprehend Rodriguez and his accomplices within an hour of the carjacking being reported.

Acting United States Attorney Harrington said, “The lengthy sentence reflects our commitment to prosecute those who seek to commit violent crimes against members of our community. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington commends the law enforcement officers with the Yakima Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives who investigated this case. Violent crime in our communities will not be tolerated.”

Yakima Police Department Chief Matt Murry said, “The partnership we share with federal law enforcement and this U.S. Attorney’s Office is invaluable. This case and others like it that are working through the system are examples of the commitment to use every tool available to hold those who commit violence accountable. Make no mistake about it, if you choose to engage in violence we WILL investigate and prosecute you.”

This case was investigated by the Yakima Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. This case was prosecuted by Richard Burson and Todd Swenson, Assistant United States Attorneys for the Eastern District of Washington.