YAKIMA, Wash. — United States District Judge Mary K. Dimke sentenced Mitchell Jason Ranes, also known as Cricket, to seven years in federal prison for being a felon in possession of ammunition. Ranes, a 45-year-old member of the Yakama Nation from Toppenish, Washington, will also serve three years of supervised release following his prison term, according to an official document.
Ranes has a lengthy criminal history. Court records show that on September 6, 2000, Ranes was convicted of a drive-by shooting and sentenced to 33 months in prison. After his release, he violated his supervised release and was returned to prison. In 2007, he was convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm, resulting in a 77-month prison sentence. Again, he violated his supervised release and returned to prison. In 2024, Ranes faced another conviction for firearm possession, serving 15 months before more supervised release violations.
On January 22, 2025, law enforcement pursued Ranes due to an outstanding warrant. After a car chase, he was apprehended and found with six rounds of ammunition, a new federal offense. A federal indictment was filed on April 9, 2025, and Ranes pleaded guilty on October 17, 2025.
Judge Dimke cited Ranes’ extensive criminal history and missed opportunities for substance abuse services as reasons for the sentence. United States Attorney Serrano emphasized the importance of prosecuting ammunition possession given Ranes’ history.
“I’m grateful to our office for pursuing this case. While some may question why the United States would prosecute the possession of ammunition, there is no need to look beyond Mr. Ranes’ persistent firearms-related criminal history. Yakima is now safer with Mr. Ranes off the streets for the next 7 years,” said Serrano.
Lieutenant Church of the Yakima County Sheriff’s Office highlighted the collaboration between law enforcement and federal partners in this case. “This case is a great example of collaboration with fellow law enforcement and federal partners working to get a dangerous person with a significant criminal history off the streets for a significant amount of time,” he said.
W. Mike Herrington, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Seattle field office, noted Ranes’ persistent violations and the role of the FBI’s Safe Streets Task Forces. “Together with our partners, the FBI’s Safe Streets Task Forces will continue to combat violent crime throughout the state of Washington and nationwide,” he said.
The Southeast Washington Safe Streets Task Force, including the FBI, Yakima County Sheriff’s Office, Toppenish Police Department and United States Customs and Border Protection, investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Tom Hanlon prosecuted it.
For more information on the Southeast Washington Safe Streets Task Force, click here.
