Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Alfonso Ramos of Warsaw could be released from prison in as few as three years after being sentenced Thursday to 10 years in prison for his role in a Dec. 29, 1998, shooting incident that left two people injured.
Ramos, 20, is the first of three people charged in the shootings of Gary Conley and Patsy Howard, at Conley's West CR 900S residence, to complete his court proceedings. The two were asleep in a bedroom when several shots were fired through the closed window.
Conley suffered multiple gunshot wounds to the chest and was hospitalized in critical condition for several days before his condition improved. Howard suffered a leg wound and was treated at Kosciusko Community Hospital and released.
Ramos' brother, Fernando Ramos, 18, of Warsaw, is allegedly the shooter, according to court documents, and Eric Shaw, 23, of Warsaw, also is charged in the matter. His next court date, a pretrial hearing, is set for Monday. All three were charged with aggravated battery, a Class B felony; battery with a deadly weapon, a Class C felony; and carrying a handgun without a license, a Class A misdemeanor.
Police said the shootings were drug-related and stemmed from Conley allegedly owing Fernando Ramos money for cocaine.
Alfonso Ramos' sentence was for 10 years in prison, with four years suspended for probation and six years ordered served. Under Indiana law, prisoners are granted one day off their sentence for each day served on good behavior. Thus, Ramos could be out of prison in three years.
Ramos also was ordered to make restitution for medical costs incurred by the victims. The amount of $69,705.90 was ordered repaid jointly, meaning that burden also will be shared by the co-defendants convicted in this matter. Additionally, Ramos was assessed a $200 fine and ordered to pay court costs.
