BAKERSFIELD, Calif.(KBAK/KBFX) — An East Side Crips gang member, already serving a life sentence for murder, has been convicted on multiple felony charges for allegedly assaulting a fellow inmate until he lost consciousness, according to the Kern County District Attorney. The court found that inmate Christopher Patterson personally inflicted great bodily injury for the benefit of the East Side Crips.
On the evening of Jan. 22, 2025, at the Lerdo Pre-trial facility, Patterson, along with fellow gang members Anthony Johnson and Trevion Pitts, assaulted an inmate. The victim, also a gang member, had previously provided information that led to the assault order from a high-ranking East Side Crips member. Patterson received the directive on the morning of the attack and communicated it to Johnson and Pitts. That evening, the trio attacked the victim, kicking and punching him for over three minutes until he lost consciousness.
Patterson faces numerous charges, including intimidating a witness and assault and battery with serious bodily injury.
District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer stated, “Using violence and intimidation to interfere with a criminal investigation carries enhanced penalties that can, in some cases, exceed those of the original offense. Such conduct is inexcusable, and our office will pursue it vigorously.”
Patterson, currently serving life without parole for a gang-related murder of an elderly woman in 2012, now faces an additional seven years to life in prison.
Guadalupe Ramos, 71, was attacked by three men, including Patterson, in August 2012 outside the Foods Co. grocery store on Haley Street.
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Patterson, who was 19 at the time, came up behind Ramos and ripped a gold chain from her neck. That knocked the frail woman to the ground, causing fatal injuries. Ramos suffered emotion-precipitated sudden cardiac death and blows to her trunk and extremities, the coroner said.
Co-defendants Anthony Johnson received an additional 11 years, and Trevion Pitts received an additional six years in prison for the prison attack.
Patterson is set for sentencing on Dec. 8, 2025, where he faces an additional seven years in prison.