A University City man was expected to surrender on July 20 to start a 90-day sentence at a work furlough project for breaking the jaw of a young man at Ocean Beach following an argument over a firepit.

Gabriel Douglas Ramos, 36, will be permitted to work days but will be locked up at night and on weekends while confined at the center in San Diego.

Ramos is a licensed realtor in San Diego, but he will lose his license as a result of his felony conviction, according to papers filed by his attorney, Justin Murphy. He will apparently have other employment to qualify for work furlough.

The victim is Kobe La, now 23, who suffered a broken jaw in two places when he was beaten on June 15, 2021, following an argument with Ramos over the firepit.

San Diego Superior Court Judge Rachel Cano ordered Ramos to pay restitution to La at a rate to be determined later on terms of three years probation plus a fine of $1,190.

Ramos pleaded guilty to felony assault and admitted the enhancement that he did inflict great bodily injuries upon Kobe La.

La said Ramos first approached him and declared this was his firepit and he and his friends should be gone when he returned. La said he checked with lifeguards and learned no one can make reservations for a particular firepit because it was on a first-come, first-serve basis.

La said Ramos returned after dark when the lifeguards were gone and he arrived with other people. La said Ramos punched him in the face. Someone kicked him in the stomach and when he got up someone grabbed him by the hoodie and pulled him down to the ground.

La told the judge his jaw was screwed shut and was on a liquid diet for months before and after surgery. He lost 20 pounds during his recovery and had to drop out of college to recover from his injuries.

Deputy District Attorney Abigail Dillon asked the judge to impose a minimum of one year in jail. Cano gave Ramos credit for two days previously spent in jail.

Kobe La filed a civil suit for damages against Ramos in San Diego Superior Court on May 26. Ramos apologized to him in court.