A federal jury returned guilty verdicts against Ysrael Cordova and Ricardo Valenzuela. Other defendants awaiting trial retain the presumption of innocence unless and until proven guilty in court.

A federal jury has convicted two Southern California gang members of murdering a man during a Mexican Mafia-ordered attempted armed robbery outside the victim’s Placentia home.

According to evidence presented at trial, Gregory Muñoz ordered Ysrael Cordova and Ricardo Valenzuela to rob the victim on behalf of Johnny Martinez, a Mexican Mafia member who prosecutors said controlled criminal activity in Orange County while incarcerated. Cordova and Valenzuela arrived with long guns, and Cordova fatally shot the victim during the robbery attempt.

Cordova and Valenzuela were each convicted of murder in aid of racketeering activity. They face mandatory life sentences at an October 22 hearing. Prosecutors reported 15 convictions in the wider investigation; defendants still awaiting trial are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.