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Lowriders leader gets 18 years in prison

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By Ann McGlynn | Tuesday, April 29, 2008 |

A leader of the Moline faction of the Lowriders who ran onto an East Moline porch and shot a rival gang leader in the face will spend 18 years in federal prison.

Ramon Morales, 29, of Moline was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Davenport on Monday, days after he completed a five-year prison sentence for a gun offense.

Morales pleaded guilty to two counts of attempted murder in aid of racketeering and one count of using and carrying a firearm during those attempted murders.

The shooting of J.J. DeSilva in January 2003 was Morales’ third attempt at taking DeSilva’s life, records show.

DeSilva, who is serving 40 years in federal prison on charges of drug trafficking, assault and making threats to kidnap or harm another person, was a member of the Latin Kings, court documents indicate.

According to records:

Morales attempted to shoot DeSilva on May 12, 2002, in the vicinity of 800 16th Ave., East Moline. He struck DeSilva’s car but missed DeSilva.

One week later, Morales attempted to shoot DeSilva again, hitting his car but not DeSilva.

Eight months went by. In January 2003, as DeSilva sat on his porch, Morales ran up to him and shot him in the face with a handgun. DeSilva was seriously injured but did not die.

Authorities in Rock Island County prosecuted Morales for the first attempted shooting.

Morales was sentenced to two years probation and time served — about 90 days.

Ann McGlynn can be contacted at (563) 383-2336 or amcglynn@qctimes.com.