Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Merced Man Sentenced for Aiding Alleged Killer of Cpl. Ronil Singh
GV-Wire-1
By gvwire
Published 5 years ago on
January 16, 2020

Share

Erik Quiroz Razo, 28, of Merced, had faced a maximum of five years in prison for aiding and abetting Paulo Virgen Mendoza, who is charged with murder in the Dec. 26, 2018, shooting death of Cpl. Ronil Singh during a traffic stop.
“The murder of a police officer in the line of duty is an assault on the entire community,” said U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott. “This defendant, a convicted felon and previously deported alien, played a critical role in helping a man accused of killing a police officer to elude apprehension.
“He disposed of the murder weapon, and he urged those close to him to not tell anyone about his activities. The successful prosecution of this defendant sends a message to the community that this behavior will not be tolerated.”
Quiroz Razo is from Michoacán, Mexico.
Photo of Newman, California, police officer Ronil Singh standing next to his patrol car
Newman police Cpl. Ronil Singh. (Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department)

Trump Cited Case in Calling for Border Wall

President Donald Trump has used the case to back his call for tougher border security during a dispute with congressional Democrats over funding for a border wall. Stanislaus County Sheriff Adam Christianson previously said California’s sanctuary law prevented authorities from reporting Mendoza to immigration officials for possible deportation after two previous drunken driving arrests.
Investigators say Singh stopped Mendoza on suspicion of drunken driving before he was killed. Mendoza has pleaded not guilty.
A federal jury in September convicted Quiroz of concealing the truck Mendoza was driving, disposing of the firearm used to kill the officer, and lying to Stanislaus County deputies.

Chowchilla Man Awaits Sentencing in Case

The same jury also convicted Mendoza’s brother, Conrado Virgen Mendoza, 34, of Chowchilla, who awaits sentencing on similar charges. Authorities say he arranged for a smuggler to take his brother across the border, but he was found and arrested at a house two days after Singh’s killing.
A court hearing for Virgen Mendoza is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 21, where a sentencing date will be set for his involvement in the conspiracy to help his brother flee.
He faces a maximum statutory penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for conspiring to aid in his brother’s flight from authorities. However, his sentence will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.

Two Others Previously Sentenced

The suspect’s girlfriend, Ana Leydi Cervantes Sanchez, 31, was sentenced last year to a year and a day in prison after pleading guilty to conspiring to help her boyfriend’s attempted escape.
Another brother, Adrian Virgen Mendoza, 26, previously pleaded guilty and was sentenced to a year and nine months in prison.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Karen A. Escobar, Laura D. Withers, and Michael G. Tierney are prosecuting the case.

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Pope Francis, First Latin American Pontiff, Dies on Easter Monday

DON'T MISS

Chargers in Need of Help at Wide Receiver and Tight End in the NFL Draft

DON'T MISS

Magic Happens When Kids and Adults Learn to Swim. Tragedy Can Strike if They Don’t.

DON'T MISS

Big Fresno Fair Board Will Be Led by an American Sikh for 1st Time

DON'T MISS

AI ‘Friend’ for Public School Students Falls Flat

DON'T MISS

Is a ‘Friend-Apist’ What We Really Want From Therapy?

DON'T MISS

Yemen’s Houthi Rebels Report US Strikes in the Capital and a Coastal City

DON'T MISS

Progressive Icon and Ex-US Rep. Barbara Lee Wins Race for Mayor of Oakland

DON'T MISS

Humanoid Robots Run a Chinese Half-Marathon Alongside Human Competitors

DON'T MISS

Bakersfield Push to Restore Kern River Seeks to Revitalize City

UP NEXT

Magic Happens When Kids and Adults Learn to Swim. Tragedy Can Strike if They Don’t.

UP NEXT

Big Fresno Fair Board Will Be Led by an American Sikh for 1st Time

UP NEXT

AI ‘Friend’ for Public School Students Falls Flat

UP NEXT

Progressive Icon and Ex-US Rep. Barbara Lee Wins Race for Mayor of Oakland

UP NEXT

Humanoid Robots Run a Chinese Half-Marathon Alongside Human Competitors

UP NEXT

Bakersfield Push to Restore Kern River Seeks to Revitalize City

UP NEXT

Anti-Trump Protesters Turn Out to Rallies Across Country

UP NEXT

250 Years After America Went to War for Independence, a Divided Nation Battles Over Its Legacy

UP NEXT

Greg Cronin Fired as Coach of Anaheim Ducks After 2 Seasons

UP NEXT

Israeli Strikes on Gaza Kill More Than 90 People in 48 Hours, Palestinians Say

Big Fresno Fair Board Will Be Led by an American Sikh for 1st Time

23 hours ago

AI ‘Friend’ for Public School Students Falls Flat

24 hours ago

Is a ‘Friend-Apist’ What We Really Want From Therapy?

24 hours ago

Yemen’s Houthi Rebels Report US Strikes in the Capital and a Coastal City

2 days ago

Progressive Icon and Ex-US Rep. Barbara Lee Wins Race for Mayor of Oakland

2 days ago

Humanoid Robots Run a Chinese Half-Marathon Alongside Human Competitors

2 days ago

Bakersfield Push to Restore Kern River Seeks to Revitalize City

2 days ago

Anti-Trump Protesters Turn Out to Rallies Across Country

2 days ago

Universal Studios Fan Fest 2025 to Feature Immersive D&D Attraction and More

2 days ago

Thousands Gather in London for Trans Rights Following UK Ruling Over Definition of Woman

2 days ago

Pope Francis, First Latin American Pontiff, Dies on Easter Monday

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) -Pope Francis, the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church, has died, the Vatican said on Monday, en...

55 minutes ago

FILE PHOTO: Newly elected Pope Francis appears at the window of his future private apartment to bless the faithful, gathered below in St. Peter's Square, during the Sunday Angelus prayer at the Vatican March 17, 2013. REUTERS/Tony Gentile/File Photo
55 minutes ago

Pope Francis, First Latin American Pontiff, Dies on Easter Monday

23 hours ago

Chargers in Need of Help at Wide Receiver and Tight End in the NFL Draft

23 hours ago

Magic Happens When Kids and Adults Learn to Swim. Tragedy Can Strike if They Don’t.

23 hours ago

Big Fresno Fair Board Will Be Led by an American Sikh for 1st Time

24 hours ago

AI ‘Friend’ for Public School Students Falls Flat

24 hours ago

Is a ‘Friend-Apist’ What We Really Want From Therapy?

2 days ago

Yemen’s Houthi Rebels Report US Strikes in the Capital and a Coastal City

2 days ago

Progressive Icon and Ex-US Rep. Barbara Lee Wins Race for Mayor of Oakland

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend