Federal Jury Convicts Mendota Man in Brutal MS-13 Attack

• 📌 Oscar Armando Orellana Guevara, 28, of Mendota, was convicted by a federal jury after an 11-day trial for racketeering conspiracy and attempted murder.
• 📌 The attack targeted a relative of a government informant; the victim was stabbed 10 times and nearly died.
• 📌 Orellana faces up to life in prison; sentencing is set for November 5, 2026.
• 📌 The case is part of a federal task force targeting transnational criminal organizations.

Violent Attack in Mendota Orchard

On August 28, 2020, near the Mendota river, Orellana and other MS-13 members heard music and found JBH, a relative of a government informant. Yelling gang slogans, Orellana chased JBH into an orchard, forced him to his knees, and stabbed him 10 times. The victim suffered chest wounds that nearly punctured a lung and abdominal wounds that damaged his intestines.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the gang had terrorized Mendota for nearly a decade through violence, extortion, and drug trafficking. Orellana admitted to selling drugs, extorting residents, and patrolling for rivals. In a separate 2018 incident, he participated in the stabbing of a rival Bulldog gang member near a convenience store.

Local California Context

Mendota, a small city in Fresno County, has been a stronghold for MS-13 activity. The conviction is a key victory for local law enforcement, including the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office and Mendota Police Department, which collaborated with federal agencies.

Background

MS-13, or Mara Salvatrucha, is a transnational gang with roots in Los Angeles and Central America. The gang has been linked to numerous violent crimes in California’s Central Valley. Federal prosecutors have used RICO charges to dismantle its operations.

Conclusion

Orellana’s conviction underscores the ongoing federal effort to curb gang violence in rural California. His sentencing in November will determine whether he spends the rest of his life in prison.

Sources and Materials

• goldrushcam
• justice