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Two Moreno Valley gang members with ties to the Mexican Mafia were sentenced to life in prison for the attempted murder of a Hemet man in 2021, the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office announced Friday.
Carl Ray Flores Jr., 48, and Brian Ramiro Inocencio, 28, were found guilty Oct. 28 of attempted murder and witness intimidation. On Friday, Flores was sentenced to 10 years in prison plus 75 years to life in prison, and Inocencio was sentenced to 47 years to life in prison.
Prosecutors said the victim decided in 2020 to expand his drug trade by partnering with the Mexican Mafia, a criminal organization made up of senior members of Latino gangs operating in Southern California and state prisons.
He was under the command of Flores, the gang’s “lieutenant” who was confirmed to be a member of the Mexican Mafia, and both were operating out of Imperial’s Centinela State Prison.
From behind bars, Flores organized the sale and distribution of methamphetamine through his victims. However, the relationship eventually soured after the Hemet man was caught in the act.
In February 2021, the victim was arrested by Riverside Police while transporting methamphetamine. After the drug shipment was seized, the victim attempted to sever ties with Mr. Flores, but Mr. Flores demanded repayment of $5,000 for the lost shipment.
When the victim failed to pay, Flores instructed Inocencio to kill him.
In August of the same year, Inocencio attended the victim’s 50th birthday party and confronted her about the debt. After a FaceTime call with Flores, Flores reportedly told the man, “You’re dead.” Inocencio shot the man multiple times.
The victim ultimately survived the attempt on his life, and Inocencio fled to Mexico.
Inocencio was subsequently arrested in Tijuana on September 13, 2021 by local authorities with the assistance of federal marshals.
Investigators linked Inocencio and Flores to the crime and charged them both with attempted murder. During the investigation, both men “actively sought to dissuade witnesses from participating in the prosecution,” the prosecutor’s office said.
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