Mexican National Sentenced for Role in Violent Drug Trafficking Organization Linked to Murders of Couple and Unborn Child (DOJ)

SAN DIEGO - Ricardo "Ricky" Orizaba-Zendejas, a Mexican national unlawfully present in the United States, was sentenced in federal court today to 20 years in prison for drug and firearms offenses tied to a violent trafficking organization based in Yakima, Washington.

According to evidence presented at trial in February, Orizaba served as a trusted lieutenant, drug dealer, and enforcer for the organization, which sourced narcotics from Mexico and transported them through Southern California ports of entry through California to Yakima.

Prosecutors established that the organization was linked to the murders of a husband and his pregnant wife, Cesar Murillo and Maira Hernandez, both former associates who had expressed a desire to leave the organization and cooperate with federal agents.

Evidence showed Orizaba played a central role in the organization's operations, including trafficking fentanyl, heroin, methamphetamine and cocaine; transporting drug proceeds; collecting debts; arranging gun-for-drugs transactions; and protecting the organization's leadership and drug loads.

The court heard testimony and reviewed exhibits reflecting Orizaba's vital role in the organization that murdered and buried Murillo, Hernandez, and their unborn child to further its drug trafficking operations. The evidence showed the killings did not slow the organization's activities; instead, Orizaba continued working closely with co-defendant Benjamin "Tony" Madrigal-Birrueta, the leader of the trafficking organization, in ongoing drug trafficking operations and threats of violence against those perceived to challenge the organization.

During a February 2023 search of Orizaba's residence, agents seized more than 11,000 fentanyl pills, nearly one kilogram of fentanyl powder, more than 1.6 kilograms of heroin, a loaded AR-15 rifle, body armor, a money counter, scales, and cash packaging materials. A veteran Yakima narcotics detective testified during the trial the fentanyl seizure was the third largest in the Yakima area at the time.

At sentencing, U.S. District Court Judge Dana M. Sabraw told Orizaba, "It's hard to overstate the nature and scope of this conspiracy, and the violence within that conspiracy." Judge Sabraw added that Orizaba played a key role in that conspiracy, including a role in the distribution of methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaine, trailing a load driver from Visalia to Washington, wiring money to others involved in the conspiracy, delivering large sums of money to co-conspirators in Los Angeles, buying guns for drugs, getting drugs from another witness, and responding to Madrigal's orders, including as the enforcer or protector.

"This defendant was a critical part of a violent drug trafficking organization that chose to murder a young couple and their unborn child as they attempted to escape for a better life," said U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon.

"Today's sentencing is a testament to the tireless dedication and collaboration of HSI and our federal, state, and local HSTF partners to dismantle criminal organizations and bring justice to victims and their loved ones," said HSI San Diego acting Special Agent in Charge Kevin Murphy. "The brutal murders of victims, and their unborn child were carried out by the cartel in furtherance of their illicit activity. We remain steadfast in our commitment to dismantling violent drug trafficking organizations and holding those responsible for such heinous crimes accountable."

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stephen Wong and Alexandra Foster.

DEFENDANT Case Number 23cr1684-DMS

Ricardo Orizaba-Zendejas Age: 23 Yakima, WA

SUMMARY OF COUNTS OF CONVICTION

Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances - 21 U.S.C. §§ 841 and 846

Maximum penalty: Mandatory minimum sentence of twenty years and up to life, or death

Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime - 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)

Maximum penalty: Mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to life

INVESTIGATING AGENCIES

Homeland Security Investigations

Drug Enforcement Administration

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

Washington State Police

California Highway Patrol

Yakima Police Department

Tulare County Sheriff's Office

Visalia Police Department

Fresno Sheriff's Office

Fresno Police Department

This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF San Diego comprises agents and officers from FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, DEA, ATF, U.S. Marshals, Department of Defense, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Naval Criminal Investigative Service, IRS Criminal Investigation, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Interpol, with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of California.