LOS ANGELES —Three Southern California gang members were sentenced Thursday to life in federal prison for the 2017 murder in aid of racketeering tied to the Mexican Mafia, a powerful prison gang that prosecutors say controls Hispanic street gangs throughout Southern California, officials stated Friday.
The defendants are:
- Mike Escobar, 43, also known as “Risky,” a member of the Little Hood gang in Anaheim.
- James Mendez, 47, also known as “Buck,” a Sureño gang member from Garden Grove.
- Kevin Trejo, 38, also known as “Minor,” a member of the Jeffrey Street gang in Anaheim.
Federal prosecutors said the men were convicted after a 10-day trial in October 2023.
- Defendants: Mike Escobar (“Risky”), James Mendez (“Buck”), Kevin Trejo (“Minor”)
- Sentence: Life in federal prison
- Conviction: Murder in aid of racketeering
- Gang affiliation: Mexican Mafia (La Eme)
- Victim: Costa Mesa gang member associated with the Mexican Mafia
- Crime date: August 2017
- Trial: 10-day federal trial in October 2023
- Motive: Killing ordered by an imprisoned Mexican Mafia leader
- Related case: Alleged gang leader who ordered the murder is scheduled for trial in August 2027
- Region: Orange County, California
According to evidence presented at trial, the three defendants murdered a Costa Mesa street gang member in August 2017. The victim was associated with the Mexican Mafia and was responsible for trafficking drugs and collecting “taxes” from Orange County gangs on behalf of an imprisoned Mexican Mafia leader overseeing criminal operations.
Prosecutors said the killing was carried out at the direction of that imprisoned gang leader, who is scheduled to stand trial in August 2027.
The Mexican Mafia, also known as La Eme, is a U.S.-based prison gang that exerts significant influence over Hispanic street gangs across Southern California.
Authorities say the organization directs criminal activity from prison, including drug trafficking, extortion, illegal gambling, and violent crimes, while demanding a share of illegal proceeds from affiliated gangs.
Quick Facts
- Defendants: Mike Escobar (“Risky”), James Mendez (“Buck”), Kevin Trejo (“Minor”)
- Sentence: Life in federal prison
- Conviction: Murder in aid of racketeering
- Gang affiliation: Mexican Mafia (La Eme)
- Victim: Costa Mesa gang member associated with the Mexican Mafia
- Crime date: August 2017
- Trial: 10-day federal trial in October 2023
- Motive: Killing ordered by an imprisoned Mexican Mafia leader
- Related case: Alleged gang leader who ordered the murder is scheduled for trial in August 2027
- Region: Orange County, California