2 Convicted of Murder of Placentia Drug Dealer Who Crossed the Mexican Mafia
A weeklong trial showed the robbery was ordered from jail, and prosecutors said surveillance video captured Cordova shooting the victim.
- On Wednesday, July 22, a federal jury found Ysrael Jacob Cordova, 41, of Placentia and Ricardo Valenzuela, 44, of Buena Park guilty of murder in aid of racketeering for the January 2017 killing of Robert Rios, 35.
- Incarcerated Mexican Mafia leader Johnny Martinez, 50, and associate Gregory Munoz, 38, allegedly orchestrated the robbery from separate state prisons using contraband cell phones, targeting Rios for allegedly failing to pay "taxes" on his drug profits.
- Investigators said Cordova and Valenzuela, acting as "foot soldiers," brandished long guns during the robbery attempt; surveillance video and testimony from former gang shot caller Omar Mejia and driver Charles Coghill supported the prosecution.
- Both men face mandatory life sentences in federal prison, with sentencing scheduled for October 22. Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva stated, "Gang members directing crimes from behind bars cannot be tolerated."
- Munoz is scheduled for trial in July 2027 on the same murder charges, while Martinez and six other defendants face trial in August 2027 on racketeering conspiracy, drug trafficking, and firearms offenses.
14 Articles
14 Articles
Two Gang Members Convicted in Mexican Mafia-Ordered O.C. Murder
Two members of Southern California street gangs operating under the Orange County branch of the Mexican Mafia prison gang were found guilty by a jury today of murdering a man […] The post Two Gang Members Convicted in Mexican Mafia-Ordered O.C. Murder appeared first on edhat.
O.C. gang members convicted of murder while carrying out armed robbery for Mexican Mafia
Two members of an Orange County street gang were found guilty of murdering a man while attempting to carry out an armed robbery under the direction of the Mexican Mafia, authorities said.
O.C. Mexican Mafia ordered robbery ends in murder
Two Southern California gang members face mandatory life sentences after a federal jury convicted them of murdering a man during an attempted armed robbery outside his Placentia home. The killing occurred on Jan. 19, 2017, after two incarcerated gang figures arranged for the victim, identified in court documents only as R.R., to be robbed at [...]
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 62% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
