Santa Ana gangbanger gets life in prison after murdering an innocent bystander

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.

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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