EPHRATA - A Mattawa gang member is serving more than two years in prison after being caught throwing a gun over a fence.

Anthony Lucio, 26, pleaded guilty to second degree unlawful possession of a firearm in Grant County Superior Court, according to court records.

Lucio has prior convictions for second degree possession of stolen property, third degree assault riot, harassment and prison riot, according to court records. When combined with his present conviction, he faced a sentencing range of 22 months to 29 months in prison.

Grant County Superior Court Judge John Antosz followed the prosecutor's recommendation, sentencing Lucio to 25.5 months in prison.

"The state anticipated that a mid-range sentence would be imposed by the court after trial," Prosecutor Angus Lee stated. "In light of the defendant's willingness to accept the anticipated trial sentence it was appropriate to resolve the case with a guilty plea as opposed to trial."

A Mattawa police officer spotted Lucio walking with another person on South Williams Avenue. When they spotted the officer, they began running, according to a Mattawa police report.

The officer, thinking the two were responsible for a string of gang-related graffiti in the city in January and February, began chasing them, according to the police report. He followed Lucio through an alley, and saw him throw something over a fence.

After catching up to Lucio, the officer discovered the gang member threw a .357 caliber revolver over the fence, according to the police report. Lucio admitted to recently purchasing the weapon.