Three “Foot Soldiers” of the Mexican Mafia Convicted for Murder of Costa Mesa Drug Dealer
In a landmark conviction on Friday, October 13, three members of the Orange County chapter of the Mexican Mafia were found guilty of killing a drug dealer in Orange, CA. The notorious gang’s reputed leader, Johnny Martinez, allegedly ordered the hit. Kevin Trejo, James Mendez, and Mike Escobar were the first to face trial in the Operation Night Owl racketeering case dating back to April 2022. This operation aimed to dismantle the Mexican Mafia and bring down its leader.
The defendants were convicted of first-degree murder in aid of racketeering for the killing of Richard Villeda, which occurred on August 21, 2017. The jury deliberated for over 20 hours before reaching a verdict. Sentencing is scheduled for March 25.
Prosecutors argued that Martinez orchestrated the hit on Villeda after the collapse of the gang’s previous leadership. Martinez, along with Robert Aguirre and Dennis Ortiz, filled the power vacuum left by the previous leader’s conviction. They are considered high-ranking members of the Mexican Mafia and allegedly oversee its operations from jail.
The prosecution built its case on wiretaps, surveillance footage, and mobile phone data, along with the testimony of a witness who is cooperating with the government. Omar Mejia, a known member of the Mexican Mafia, provided critical evidence against the defendants.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Matthews emphasized the violent nature of the enterprise, stating that “violence is a key aspect of this organization.” He also highlighted the gang’s involvement in drug trafficking and alleged that Villeda failed to pay his dues to Martinez, which ultimately led to his death.
A neighbor who witnessed the murder testified that she saw a black SUV near the crime scene. Police officer David Schweitzer recovered multiple shell casings from the scene, which indicated that multiple weapons were likely involved in the killing.
Martinez will face trial separately, and prosecutors allege that he gave the order to kill Villeda from prison. The wiretap of this conversation was not recorded.
Defense attorney Kenneth Reed, who represents Escobar, commented on the upcoming sentencing hearing and expressed confidence that his client would explore all available legal options post-conviction.
The conviction of these “foot soldiers” marks a significant victory for law enforcement agencies in their efforts to dismantle the Mexican Mafia and disrupt their criminal operations.
Denial of responsibility! Vigour Times is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
