Worland man pleads guilty to drug-related shooting

WORLAND – Two men involved in a 2016 drug-related shooting, both suspect and victim, pled guilty to separate charges in Fifth Judicial District Court in Worland Wednesday, with the Honorable Judge Robert E. Skar presiding.

Angel L. Ramos of Worland, previously of Las Vegas, Nevada, pleaded guilty to three charges including aggravated burglary, and two counts of assault with a deadly weapon. The victim, Gilbert D. Garcia of Worland, pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a controlled substance (heroin).

According to court records, on Sept. 27, 2016, Garcia was at his grandparent’s residence when a hooded man entered the home and attempted to rob him at gunpoint. Garcia’s grandmother walked into the room, at which point Garcia and the assailant began to wrestle, and Garcia was shot in the shoulder.

The assailant ran from the home after the shooting, at which point Garcia’s grandfather took a shot at the assailant as he escaped with a .32 caliber pistol.

While being treated at the Washakie County Medical Center Garcia was interviewed by law enforcement, who obtained a warrant to search Garcia’s residence. Investigating officers discovered drug paraphernalia, $450 cash, and 3.6 grams of a controlled substance (heroin) during a search of the residence. A 9mm shell casing and bullet lodged in the wall were also recovered as evidence.

After release from the hospital, Garcia was placed under arrest. On Sept. 29, Garcia identified the assailant as Angel Ramos, claiming to have met the suspect previously at a party, and subsequently picked Ramos out of a photo lineup provided by law enforcement.

Later that day, according to court records, officers attempted to contact Ramos at his residence, when the suspect ran out the back door and eluded officers, until he was found hiding in the 800 block of Park Avenue, where he was arrested. Acting on a search warrant, officers recovered bloody tennis shoes, a cell phone, a Hi-Point 9mm pistol and ammunition and a small amount of marijuana from Ramos’ residence.

Both Garcia and Ramos await sentencing hearings, dates yet to be determined by the court.