Gang member gets nearly 10 years in firearms case

Norteno gang member Edward Moran, 19, of Orosi, was sentenced Monday to nine years eight months instate prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm with a gang enhancement

stemming from an incident that took place on May 11.

On that date deputies from the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department were called to investigate a report of two Norteno gang members brandishing a firearm in the area of Road 128 and Miller Avenue in Orosi. Detectives from the department’s gang unit were already in that region. Upon arrival, Det.e Steven Sanchez observed a vehicle leaving the vicinity at a high rate of speed and stopped it. As the vehicle came to an abrupt stop, passenger Edward Moran ran from the vehicle while Sanchez observed him carrying a handgun in his hand. Sanchez properly identified himself as law enforcement and ordered Moran to stop; but Moran continued to flee with the firearm.

Sanchez pursued him to a residence of at least two known Nortenos. Moran refused to come outside and engaged law enforcement in a standoff that lasted approximately two and one-half hours. Thereafter, Moran eventually surrendered himself and officers ultimately recovered a fully loaded .22 caliber handgun from the home.

Moran pleaded no contest on June 28to one felony count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and admitted a special allegation that the firearm was possessed for the benefit of a criminal street gang, and he admitted a separate misdemeanor count of resisting, obstructing, or delaying a peace officer in the performance of his duties. Moran was on active probation at the time of this offense for second degree robbery conviction and for two separate gang injunction violation convictions.