SANTA ANA, Calif. — A federal jury on Tuesday found two Southern California gang members guilty of murdering a Placentia man during an attempted armed robbery ordered by associates of the Mexican Mafia prison gang, officials stated.
Ysrael Jacob Cordova, 41, also known as “Trips” and “Tripper,” of Placentia, and Ricardo Valenzuela, 44, also known as “Solo,” of Buena Park, were each convicted of one count of murder in aid of racketeering activity (VICAR murder).
According to federal prosecutors, the killing was part of a larger racketeering conspiracy involving the Orange County branch of the Mexican Mafia, also known as La Eme, a prison gang that prosecutors say controls numerous Hispanic street gangs throughout Southern California.
“The FBI remains committed to pursuing and disrupting individuals bringing violence to our communities,” Acting Assistant Director John R. Dozier Jr. of the FBI’s Criminal Division said.
Trial Evidence
Evidence presented during the nine-day trial showed that on Jan. 19, 2017, Gregory Muñoz, 38, an associate of the Orange County Mexican Mafia, ordered Cordova and Valenzuela to rob the victim, identified in court documents as R.R.
Prosecutors said Muñoz acted on behalf of Johnny Martinez, 50, known as “Crow,” a Mexican Mafia member responsible for overseeing criminal operations in Orange County while serving a prison sentence at Salinas Valley State Prison.
Muñoz was incarcerated at Calipatria State Prison when he allegedly issued the robbery order.
Later that day, Cordova and Valenzuela were driven to the victim’s Placentia neighborhood armed with long guns. During the attempted robbery, Cordova fatally shot the victim before both defendants fled the scene, prosecutors said.
Sentencing
U.S. District Judge Fred W. Slaughter scheduled sentencing for Oct. 22. Both defendants face mandatory life sentences in federal prison. They have remained in federal custody since the spring of 2022.
Broader Racketeering Case
Federal prosecutors said the convictions mark the latest milestone in a sweeping racketeering prosecution targeting the Orange County Mexican Mafia.
To date, prosecutors have secured 15 convictions in the case.
Martinez and six additional defendants are scheduled to stand trial in August 2027 on charges that include:
- Racketeering conspiracy
- Murder in aid of racketeering (VICAR)
- Drug trafficking
- Firearms offenses
Muñoz is also scheduled for trial in July 2027 on charges related to the same murder after prosecutors alleged Martinez later ordered an assault against him while both men were incarcerated.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI, the Santa Ana, Anaheim, Fullerton and Placentia police departments, the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
Fact Checklist
✅ Two defendants convicted by a federal jury of murder in aid of racketeering activity (VICAR murder)
✅ Defendants:
- Ysrael Jacob Cordova, 41
- Ricardo Valenzuela, 44
✅ Murder occurred during an attempted armed robbery in Placentia on Jan. 19, 2017
✅ Prosecutors alleged robbery was ordered by Mexican Mafia associate Gregory Muñoz
✅ Muñoz allegedly acted on behalf of Mexican Mafia member Johnny Martinez
✅ Martinez was incarcerated at Salinas Valley State Prison when the robbery was ordered
✅ Victim was identified in court records only as R.R.
✅ Cordova allegedly fired the fatal shot
✅ Sentencing scheduled for Oct. 22
✅ Both defendants face mandatory life sentences
✅ Federal prosecutors have now secured 15 convictions in the broader racketeering case
✅ Additional defendants remain scheduled for trial in 2027