FINNEY COUNTY, Kan. (KSNW) — A Garden City man has been sentenced to more than 13 years in prison for leading a multi-year racketeering operation that included drug trafficking, theft, and the 2020 murder of Alexander “AJ” Perez, whose body has never been found.
Oscar Corrales Jr. (Courtesy: Finney County Attorney’s Office)
On May 27, Oscar Corrales Jr. was sentenced to 156 months — or 13 years — in the Kansas Department of Corrections after pleading guilty to engaging in a pattern of racketeering activity. Judge Rebecca J. Faurot handed down the sentence as part of a plea agreement between Corrales and prosecutors.
No charges for officers in shooting of Haysville man
Investigators say Corrales was at the center of a criminal operation that spanned several years and counties, involving the systematic theft of cars, tools, electronics, and the distribution of methamphetamine and fentanyl. According to court records, Corrales and his associates would steal vehicles and then either switch their vehicle identification numbers using wrecked cars with clean titles or dismantle the stolen vehicles for parts.
Prosecutors said Corrales murdered Perez to protect his illicit operation. He reportedly accused Perez of stealing property that Corrales had previously stolen from others. Perez was reported missing in December 2020, and authorities believe he was killed around December 6 of that year. Despite an extensive investigation, his remains have never been recovered.
The Kansas Bureau of Investigation continues to seek information about the location of Perez’s body. Anyone with knowledge is urged to contact the KBI.
Corrales was originally arrested in December 2023 while already in custody on unrelated charges.
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here