#DC-0120
Ysrael Cordova and Ricardo Valenzuela
Convicted
last updated 3 August 2026 · 6 sources
Confirmed facts
14
Open questions
4
Next date
22 Oct 2026
Stage
Convicted
This case is still developing. Get an email when the file updates.
Timeline of what's confirmed14 entries
19 January 2017
CBS Los Angeles reported that Robert Rios, 35, was shot in his front yard during an armed robbery in Placentia.
CBS Los Angeles
19 January 2017
A federal superseding indictment alleged that Gregory Muñoz, on behalf of Johnny Martinez, ordered Ysrael Jacob Cordova, Ricardo Valenzuela, and an unnamed associate to rob R.R.
DOJ superseding indictment
19 January 2017
A federal superseding indictment alleged that Cordova, Valenzuela, and an unnamed associate were driven to R.R.’s neighborhood for the robbery and were armed with firearms when R.R. was killed.
DOJ superseding indictment
27 April 2022
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California announced that a 33-count indictment had been unsealed charging 31 members and associates of the Orange County Mexican Mafia with racketeering offenses, two murders, six attempted murders, and related drug and gun charges.
DOJ CDCA
27 April 2022
A DOJ defendant chart listed Ysrael Jacob Cordova, also known as Trips and Trippy, age 37, of Placentia, as charged with VCAR murder and related firearm counts.
DOJ defendant chart
27 April 2022
A DOJ defendant chart listed Ricardo Valenzuela, also known as Solo, age 42, of Artesia, as charged with VCAR murder and related firearm counts.
DOJ defendant chart
27 April 2022
DOJ stated that the indictment was merely an allegation and that all defendants were presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
DOJ CDCA
22 July 2026
DOJ announced that a jury found Ysrael Jacob Cordova, 41, of Placentia, and Ricardo Valenzuela, 44, of Buena Park, guilty of one count each of murder in aid of racketeering activity.
DOJ CDCA
22 July 2026
DOJ said evidence presented at a nine-day trial described Muñoz ordering Cordova and Valenzuela to rob R.R. on behalf of Johnny Martinez.
DOJ CDCA
22 July 2026
DOJ said Martinez was incarcerated at Salinas Valley State Prison and Muñoz was an inmate at Calipatria State Prison at the time of the killing.
DOJ CDCA
22 July 2026
DOJ said federal prosecutors had secured 15 convictions in the criminal case targeting the Orange County Mexican Mafia.
DOJ CDCA
22 October 2026
United States District Judge Fred W. Slaughter scheduled sentencing for Cordova and Valenzuela; DOJ said they face mandatory life sentences in federal prison.
DOJ CDCA
July 2027
DOJ said Gregory Muñoz is scheduled to go to trial on the same charges of which Cordova and Valenzuela were convicted; the unresolved charges against Muñoz remain allegations.
DOJ CDCA
August 2027
DOJ said Johnny Martinez and six other defendants are scheduled for trial on charges including racketeering conspiracy, VICAR, drug trafficking, and firearms offenses; those unresolved charges remain allegations.
DOJ CDCA
Open questionsunconfirmed · not conclusions
What sentence will be imposed at the 22 October 2026 hearing?unconfirmed; sentencing pending · unconfirmed
Have post-verdict motions or notices of appeal been filed by Cordova or Valenzuela?unconfirmed in trusted sources · unconfirmed
What will be the outcome of Gregory Muñoz’s scheduled July 2027 trial?unconfirmed; future proceeding · unconfirmed
What will be the outcome of the scheduled August 2027 trial for Johnny Martinez and six co-defendants?unconfirmed; future proceeding · unconfirmed
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