Salinas gang member sentenced to 54-years-to-life for 2015 murder

SALINAS, Calif. (KION) A Salinas Norteno gang member has been sentenced to 54-years-to-life in prison for the 2015 murder of Dexter Barnett.

In December 2019, a judge found 25-year-old Angel Isaac Ramirez guilty of first degree murder and personally using a gun to commit the murder for the benefit of the Norteno gang.

In January 2015, Ramirez was buying beer at the Chin Brothers Market on North Main Street. Dexter Barnett was also in the market and challenged Ramirez to a fight, which investigators said resulted in a public display of disrespect.

Ramirez left the store and went back with other gang members who approached Barnett outside, but they let him leave because his 11-year-old son was with him.

Less than two hours later, Ramirez saw Barnett near the Happy to be Nappy barbershop in Chinatown. He hid at the corner of East Lake Street, and when Barnett walked by, Ramirez shot him multiple times with a semi-automatic Glock pistol. Barnett died on the corner of East Lake and North Main streets.

Ramirez confessed to the murder to other gang members.