A federal judge sentenced an illegal alien to 20 years in prison on Friday for drug and firearms offenses tied to a violent Cartel-affiliated trafficking cell based in Yakima, Washington. Ricardo “Ricky” Orizaba-Zedejas, 23, of Mexico, played a key role in the organization that murdered a young couple and their unborn child after the former associates expressed a desire to cooperate with federal agents, authorities said.

Orizaba-Zedejas was convicted at trial in February of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime in the US District Court for the Southern District of California. Judge Dana M. Sabraw told the defendant at sentencing, “It’s hard to overstate the nature and scope of this conspiracy, and the violence within that conspiracy.”

Jurors found that Orizaba-Zedejas served as a trusted lieutenant, drug dealer, and enforcer for the organization, which sourced illicit narcotics from Mexico and transported them through ports of entry in California to Yakima, Washington, the cell’s home base located on a remote desert ranch, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ).

On February 8, 2023, Orizaba-Zedejas was arrested by federal agents upon the execution of a search warrant at his home. Investigators discovered 11 bags of fentanyl pills and three bags of heroin, along with an AR-15-style rifle fitted with a scope, large amounts of cash, ammunition, and magazines, including a drum magazine, body armor, a scale, and an electronic money counter, all in his bedroom, court documents state.

Authorities testified that Orizaba-Zedejas worked directly under alleged cell leader Benjamin “Tony” Madrigal-Birrueta, who was convicted for his role in the conspiracy last year. Orizaba-Zedejas sold drugs supplied by Madrigal, collected debts, and helped protect the organization’s property and leadership. The group’s remote desert ranch was where cell members stored drugs, firearms, and stolen vehicles, according to court documents.

The investigation started with a traffic stop involving Orizaba-Zedejas’s brother and Madrigal’s brother. Police found roughly 150,000 fentanyl pills inside the car, which was registered to Maira Hernandez. The traffic stop led federal agents to Hernandez and her husband, Cesar Murillo, who were both part of the same trafficking cell, according to officials.

On August 23, 2022, federal agents went to Hernandez’s house and spoke with her. She was pregnant at the time. Hernandez revealed her role in the organization, telling authorities that she sent money to drivers who were moving the drugs. She then agreed to try to get her husband to talk to the police.

The next day, Murillo voluntarily met with federal agents and surrendered a stolen vehicle tied to the conspiracy. A witness testified at trial that Madrigal was present at the couple’s home when federal agents arrived and knew agents had spoken with Hernandez and Murillo. The witness said the encounter triggered an argument in which Hernandez and Murillo told Madrigal they wanted to quit the drug business and cooperate with authorities. Madrigal became angry, the witness testified, saying something along the lines of: “You are not leaving me alone with this.”

The following weekend, Madrigal asked Murillo to go with him to the Yakima ranch. Murillo was never seen again. Hernandez grew anxious when he failed to return home. Days later, Madrigal allegedly told Hernandez to come to the ranch to reunite with her husband.

On September 2, 2022, Hernandez was dropped off at a parking lot near Yakima, prosecutors said. She left in a car with Madrigal and was never seen alive again. Six days later, agents executed search warrants at the couple’s residence and the Yakima ranch. Investigators testified they found evidence of drug distribution at both locations and seized approximately 37 firearms from the ranch, but did not locate Hernandez or Murillo.

More than a year after the victims’ deaths, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents recovered their remains on September 13, 2023, assisted by the Washington State Police Crime Scene Investigations team.

Madrigal pleaded guilty in September 2025. In his plea, he admitted that on August 28, 2022, he and co-conspirators shot Murillo, 44, multiple times on the Yakima ranch following an argument. He also admitted that he later lured Hernandez, 33, to the ranch, claiming that Murillo was waiting for her there, despite having already killed Murillo. Madrigal admitted that when she arrived, co-conspirators shot Hernandez numerous times in the head. Prosecutors said her unborn child died in utero.

“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 US Attorney Adam Gordon for the Southern District of California in a press release.

“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 communities to dismantling violent drug trafficking organizations and holding those responsible for such heinous crimes accountable.”

This case was investigated under the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) and included the following agencies: HSI, DEA, ATF, Washington State Patrol, California Highway Patrol, Yakima Police Department, Tulare County Sheriff’s Office, Visalia Police Department, Fresno Sheriff’s Office, and the Fresno Police Department.