Merced County DA charges six in connection with jail killing
.JPG "People exit the Merced County Sheriff’s Department building located at 700 West 22nd Street in Merced, Calif. The location is also home to the Merced County Jail.")
Six men have been charged by the Merced County District Attorney’s Office in connection with the Nov. 3 death of Edward Ramos, an inmate at the Merced County Main Jail.
A criminal complaint filed in Merced County Superior Court alleges that Ulises Alvarez Monge, 29, Anthony Ray Huerta, 29, Javier Guardado Jr, 29, Ricardo Israel Gutierrez, 24, Omar E. Leos, 27, and Memphis Baca, 19, conspired with another person to to kill Ramos, 26, inside a cell at the jail. Huerta and Monge, both are accused of being active gang members, and killing Ramos to further activities of a criminal street gang.
Court documents say that Monge placed water bottles on the cell bars which partially blocked the view of security cameras recording the cell, and that Guardado stood in front of the cell bars, partially obstructing the camera’s view into the cell after Huerta and Gutierrez walk to a part of the cell with Ramos.
After speaking with Leos at a table, Ramos is said to have then walked to the toilet area of the cell after Huerta out of camera view.
The documents also say that Leos used a mirror on the rails while standing near the cell bars for about five minutes. It goes on to state that Ramos, Huerta and Monge did not emerge from the toilet area of the cell for about five minutes and then alleges Huerta and Monge stabbed Ramos multiple times before the two men eventually left the toilet area and entered the shower area.
Following the alleged stabbing, Gutierrez is said to have cleaned around the toilet, shower and table area before providing clothes to Monge and Huerta, according to the complaint. Gutierrez is also accused of passing on object to Baca who appeared to dispose of it in the toilet area before Gutierrez and Leos entered the shower area, the court documents state.
Both Monge and Huerta have been charged with felony murder and enhancements. Monge, Huerta, Guardado Jr., Gutierrez and Leos have been charged with felony conspiracy to commit a crime and street terrorism as well as multiple enhancements. Baca was charged with felony street terrorism and accessory after the fact.
Court documents state Huerta and Monge had both previously been convicted of assault with a deadly weapon, criminal street gang charges. Guardado Jr. had previously been convicted of possession of a firearm and participation in criminal street gang, the complaint states. Court documents also indicate Gutierrez was previously convicted of carjacking.
This story was originally published November 21, 2024 at 6:00 AM.