NewsMyNewsLAOctober 30, 2026Los Angeles County
Federal Indictment Adds Christmas Day Murder to Mexican Mafia Racketeering Case
Photo: MyNewsLA
Federal prosecutors added a 2016 Christmas Day murder to a superseding racketeering indictment against the reputed head and members of the Orange County chapter of the Mexican Mafia. The updated charging document links the gang leadership to the fatal shooting of 60-year-old Javier Maldonado in San Juan Capistrano, which prosecutors allege occurred when members targeted the victim's son.
Read the full story at MyNewsLAWhy It Matters
Three defendants face federal charges and potential life sentences or capital punishment following the expansion of a gang prosecution that previously resulted in two federal murder convictions.
Key Facts
- Federal prosecutors filed a superseding racketeering indictment adding the Dec. 25, 2016 killing of 60-year-old Javier Maldonado to the case against Mexican Mafia leaders.
- The 2016 killing occurred at a home on Avenida Cabrillo in San Juan Capistrano when attackers looking for the victim's son fatally shot his father instead.
- Johnny Martinez, reputed head of the Orange County branch of the Mexican Mafia, was named in the indictment alongside Gregory Muñoz and Agustin Velasquez.
- Agustin Velasquez had previously been convicted in state court for the Jan. 19, 2017 killing of Robert Rios, but his conviction was reversed on appeal after investigators continued questioning him despite his request for an attorney.
- Ysrael Jacob Cordova and Ricardo Valenzuela were convicted in July of murder in aid of racketeering for the Rios murder and are awaiting sentencing.
- Prosecutors allege Martinez and Muñoz discussed Maldonado's son prior to the attack because the son was listed in county jail.
- According to the indictment, Martinez directed Muñoz to order the robbery of Robert Rios for failing to pay drug profit 'taxes' to the Mexican Mafia, leading to Rios's death when he fought back.
- Charles Frederick Coghill agreed to testify for prosecutors after driving the attackers to Rios's neighborhood.
- Omar Mejia, a cell mate of Muñoz, testified in the related murder trials after ordering attacks on Muñoz following a falling out.
- Investigators relied on surveillance video, phone communications, location data, ballistics, and informant testimony to build the case because the murder weapon was never recovered.
Who's Mentioned
PersonRobert Rios“Victim killed on Jan. 19, 2017”PersonYsrael Jacob Cordova“Convicted of murder in aid of racketeering”locationSan Juan Capistrano“City where Javier Maldonado was killed”OrganizationCalipatria State Prison“State prison where Johnny Martinez was housed”OrganizationSalinas Valley State Prison“State prison where Johnny Martinez was previously housed”locationPlacentia“Hometown of Johnny Martinez and Gregory Muñoz”PersonCharles Frederick Coghill“Co-conspirator who turned informant and testified for prosecutors”PersonCaitlin Campbell“U.S. Attorney prosecuting the case”OrganizationMexican Mafia“Prison-based criminal umbrella organization”PersonJavier Maldonado“60-year-old victim killed on Christmas Day 2016”locationAnaheim“Hometown of Agustin Velasquez”PersonRicardo Valenzuela“Convicted of murder in aid of racketeering”PersonAgustin Velasquez“Co-defendant convicted in state court whose conviction was reversed on appeal”PersonOmar Mejia“Alleged shot-caller and Muñoz's cell mate who testified”PersonGregory Muñoz“Co-defendant and reputed gang shot-caller”PersonJohnny Martinez“Reputed head of the Orange County branch of the Mexican Mafia”