Behind the walls of a California state prison, a chilling enterprise continued to unfold. Luis Ramirez, already serving a life sentence, wasn’t deterred – he orchestrated a criminal network that extended far beyond the prison yard, weaving a web of fear and illicit profit.
Ramirez, the leader of the Westside Riva (WSR) gang based in Jurupa Valley, didn’t simply maintain control; he expanded his operation. While incarcerated, he directed a sophisticated gambling ring and a ruthless extortion scheme, turning local businesses into unwilling sources of revenue.
The Department of Justice revealed the extent of Ramirez’s influence. The WSR, under his command, didn’t just allow gambling within its territory – it demanded a cut, effectively taxing anyone daring to operate without the gang’s “permission.” This wasn’t about business; it was about control and intimidation.
Court documents painted a picture of a gang claiming ownership over a region, demanding “taxes” in exchange for a twisted form of protection. Businesses faced a stark choice: pay up and operate, or risk the wrath of the WSR and its leader, pulling the strings from behind bars.
The scope of Ramirez’s criminality reached a horrifying peak with the 2023 kidnapping of a victim, known only as “Person 1.” He ordered the abduction, unleashing his associates to carry out the brutal act.
For days, the victim was held captive inside a Riverside clothing store, deprived of food and essential medication. The ordeal ended only when she managed to escape on October 1, 2023, a harrowing testament to the gang’s cruelty.
Ramirez ultimately accepted responsibility for the violent crime in aid of racketeering, a legal acknowledgment of the far-reaching consequences of his actions. His plea revealed the depth of his involvement in the kidnapping and the broader criminal enterprise.
Two of Ramirez’s associates, Jose Jonathan Rubalcaba Alarcon and Gilbert Rey Martinez, were also brought to justice. Alarcon received a 46-month federal prison sentence, while Martinez was sentenced to 41 months, both acknowledging their roles in the kidnapping.
U.S. District Judge Stanley Blumenfeld Jr. delivered a decisive blow, sentencing Ramirez to an additional nine years in federal prison. This sentence will run consecutively to his existing life sentence, ensuring that his reign of terror from within prison walls is finally over.
