BREAKING NEWS: Two plead guilty to gang activity, three await trial, in Johnson case

Published 4:46 pm Friday, December 21, 2007

Two defendants pleaded guilty Friday to violation of the Georgia Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act in connection with the Memorial Day shooting death of Dalton High School student Andre Johnson, but three others await trial on Jan. 28 after one defendant withdrew a guilty plea Friday and another decided not to plead guilty.

Jose Ivan Chavarria and Victor Manuel “Chico” Ramirez pleaded guilty Friday. District Attorney Kermit McManus recommended a sentence of a year in prison and nine years on probation but sentencing was withheld until the conclusion of the trials of Edgar Rolando Hernandez, the alleged shooter who was indicted for murder, felony murder, aggravated assault and violation of the Georgia Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act; Bruno Sanchez, who withdrew his guilty plea to violation of the Georgia Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act; and Eduardo Sanchez, who decided not to plead guilty to the gang charge.

Read Saturday’s Daily Citizen for a complete report.