United States v. Mendoza Docket: 19-50092, Opinion Date: February 8, 2022. At age 15, Mendoza joined the Canta Ranas Organization (CRO), a Californian gang known for violent extortion and drug distribution. The government alleged that Mendoza continued as an active gang member until 2016, when he was arrested during federal law enforcement’s takedown of the CRO, citing incidents in 2013 and 2016 when police caught Mendoza with a handgun and methamphetamine and text message co

People v. Mendoza Docket: B306169 (Second Appellate District), Opinion Date: February 3, 2022. Defendant appealed the trial court's judgment entered following a jury trial in which he was convicted of attempted extortion; attempted robbery; assault with a deadly weapon; assault with force likely to cause great bodily injury; assault with a deadly weapon; and dissuading a witness. The Court of Appeal concluded that substantial evidence supported defendant's conviction for exto