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ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Case # 12CF0764

Date: June 16, 2017

GANG MEMBER SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON WITHOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF PAROLE FOR MURDERING INNOCENT BYSTANDER DURING RETALIATORY GANG SHOOTING

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A gang member was sentenced today to life in state prison without the possibility of parole for murdering an innocent bystander in a retaliatory gang shooting in Santa Ana.

Defendant: Rene Mojarra, 25, Santa Ana

Found guilty by a jury on March 14, 2017, of felony:

  • Special circumstances murder
  • Possession of a firearm by a felon
  • Street terrorism
  • Sentencing Enhancements:
    • Murder committed for criminal street gang purpose
    • Personal discharge of a firearm causing death
    • Criminal street gang activity

Sentence: Life in state prison without the possibility of parole, 25 years to life

Circumstances of the Case

  • At approximately 6:30 p.m. on March 12, 2012, Mojarra, a member of a criminal street gang with a moniker of “Reebok,” and another gang member were driving through rival gang territory with the intent to commit a retaliatory gang shooting.
  • Mojarra was armed with a .40 semi-automatic handgun while riding in the passenger seat of a 1995 Red Nissan Quest Minivan in the area of East 15th Street and Spurgeon Street in Santa Ana.
  • The defendant saw the victim, 20-year-old Mario Hernandez Jr., standing near the driveway of an underground parking structure.
  • Mojarra got out of the vehicle and opened fire, striking the victim three times, before fleeing the scene.
  • Hernandez was pronounced dead as a result of the gunshot wounds at 7:01 p.m. at the Western Medical Center.
  • The victim was not a member of a criminal street gang.
  • Santa Ana Police Department (SAPD) detectives, who investigated this case, identified the vehicle and arrested Mojarra on March 13, 2012.

Senior Deputy District Attorney Dave Porter of the Gang Unit prosecuted this case.

###

TONY RACKAUCKAS, District Attorney

Susan Kang Schroeder, Chief of Staff
Office: 714-347-8408
Cell: 714-292-2718

Michelle Van Der Linden,Spokesperson
Office: 714-347-8405
Cell: 714-323-4486





author avatar
Art Pedroza Editor
Our Editor, Art Pedroza, worked at the O.C. Register and the OC Weekly and studied journalism at CSUF and UCI. He has lived in Santa Ana for over 30 years and has served on several city and county commissions. When he is not writing or editing Pedroza specializes in risk control and occupational safety. He also teaches part time at Cerritos College and CSUF. Pedroza has an MBA from Keller University.

By Art Pedroza

Our Editor, Art Pedroza, worked at the O.C. Register and the OC Weekly and studied journalism at CSUF and UCI. He has lived in Santa Ana for over 30 years and has served on several city and county commissions. When he is not writing or editing Pedroza specializes in risk control and occupational safety. He also teaches part time at Cerritos College and CSUF. Pedroza has an MBA from Keller University.

12 thoughts on “Santa Ana gangbanger gets life in prison after murdering an innocent bystander”
    1. everything you said is gonna go back to you pussy ass not showing your name you scared or what

  1. Santa Ana is gang infested and politicians do not recognize they have a problem. Even teachers have been their targets. Female teachers have been harassed at the point oh a gun at 7/11

  2. I used to know this guy when we were kids, his older brother was someone everyone looked up to as a kid growing up in this f*cked up city, He used to work for teen challenge. After his brother passed away in a car accident. Back in 2007. It affected everyone who knew him. I believe we all followed a dark path. Sucks to see where this took him. Not justifying what he did. That sh*t wasn’t cool, his brother would be disappointed in him. But Homie needed help. Sh*t, i was a kid at the time, i needed help as well. But i was lucky enough to make it out of that bs. Sucks to see that this guy didn;t. Wish he woulda taken a different route. And followed His brother’s footsteps.

  3. why you mf say the victim wasnt a gang memeber YESSSS he was… from a lame gang named longanisa…

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