News Sheet

33 Years for Violence: When Denver’s Finest Make Gang Leaders Pay

Gavel, scales of justice and law books
Gavel, scales of justice and law books
Written by Scott K. James

Denver gang leader Phillip Baca Sr. was sentenced to 33 years after orchestrating dozens of drive-by shootings and profiting from violent rap videos. A major victory for law enforcement and public safety.

The Denver Gazette’s June 29, 2025, article by Marco Cummings reports that 44-year-old Phillip Baca Sr., leader of the “Few But Plenty” gang, received a 33-year prison sentence for orchestrating multiple drive-by shootings across the Denver metro area and glorifying the violence in YouTube rap videos.

The Bullet Point Brief

  • Baca’s crew under “Operation Ricochet” unleashed 14 separate shootings from 2019–2022, turning West Denver into their personal shooting range.
  • The grand jury indictment stacked 114 felony counts—because apparently one count of “public endangerment” wasn’t dramatic enough.
  • Prosecutors noted Baca even raked in nearly $13,000 from YouTube rap videos that celebrated bullets over beats.
  • Eleven gang members pled guilty; now it’s a one-way ticket to DOC and taxpayers get to foot the bill for decades.

My Take

Outstanding work by DA John Walsh, RAVEN investigators, and every badge-wearing hero who hunted these thugs down. Bad guys like Baca need to rot behind bars, not terrorize neighborhoods. We must continue to fully fund and empower our police—no more budget debates, just backed-up patrol cars and bulletproof vests. And let’s pray that God protects our officers on the front lines and heals our state and nation from this scourge of gang violence.

About the author

Scott K. James

A 4th generation Northern Colorado native, Scott K. James is a veteran broadcaster, professional communicator, and principled leader. Widely recognized for his thoughtful, common-sense approach to addressing issues that affect families, businesses, and communities, Scott, his wife, Julie, and son, Jack, call Johnstown, Colorado, home. A former mayor of Johnstown, James is a staunch defender of the Constitution and the rule of law, the free market, and the power of the individual. Scott has delighted in a lifetime of public service and continues that service as a Weld County Commissioner representing District 2.