Munoz brother sent to prison

The Carson City man whose felony absconding warrant prompted his brother to lead police on a car chase last week, was sent to prison by a judge Monday.

Cesar Munoz, 29, was given credit for 86 days served and will serve the remainder of a 12-36 month prison sentence on a charge of fraudulent use of a credit card.

According to police records, on March 31 a deputy spotted Munoz's brother Gabriel driving a car with a bandanna hanging from the rear view mirror "obstructing the driver's view."

When the officer tried to stop the vehicle, Gabriel Munoz allegedly fled, driving 55 mph in a 25 mph zone and narrowly avoiding an accident on Carson Street with his brother, another man and his 2-year-old son as passengers.

During the chase Gabriel Munoz allegedly called ahead to family about the chase and stopped at a Douglas County apartment complex to purportedly release his son to his in-laws there.

Cesar Munoz was arrested on the Parole and Probation warrant for failing to check in his with his probation officers and for leaving the country and going to Mexico without the state's permission. Munoz and his brother are American born.

"This was the second violation and the judge just had enough," said Assistant District Attorney Gerald Gardner.

On Tuesday, a criminal complaint was filed against Gabriel Munoz, 33, charging him with felony evading an officer causing risk of harm to others, child endangerment and possession of burglary tools for a "Slim Jim" allegedly recovered under his seat.

The Munoz brothers are "well-known and documented" gang members of a Carson City street gang, according to the police report.

Both brothers have had troubles with the law and served time in prison, though family has defended Gabriel Munoz, saying he's turning his life around.

• Contact reporter F.T. Norton at ftnorton@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1213.