A Mexican national illegally present in the United States who prosecutors say served as a key enforcer in a Yakima-based drug trafficking organization connected to the murders of a husband, his pregnant wife, and their unborn child has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison.
Ricardo “Ricky” Orizaba-Zendejas, 23, of Yakima, received the sentence in federal court after being convicted on drug trafficking and firearms charges tied to a criminal organization that transported narcotics from Mexico through Southern California and into Washington state.
The sentencing comes months after co-defendant Benjamin “Tony” Madrigal-Birrueta, another Mexican national who had been living in Yakima illegally, pleaded guilty to murdering Cesar Murillo, 44, and his pregnant wife, Maira Hernandez, 33, in 2022. Hernandez’s unborn child also died. Prosecutors have said the killings were connected to the organization’s drug trafficking activities and occurred after the victims expressed a desire to leave the operation and cooperate with federal investigators.
During Orizaba-Zendejas’ February trial, prosecutors presented evidence showing he acted as a trusted lieutenant, drug dealer, and enforcer within the organization. According to court testimony, he trafficked fentanyl, heroin, methamphetamine, and cocaine, transported drug proceeds, collected debts, arranged gun-for-drug transactions, and helped protect the organization’s leadership and narcotics shipments.
Federal prosecutors also argued that despite the murders of Murillo and Hernandez, the organization continued operating, with Orizaba-Zendejas remaining actively involved alongside Madrigal-Birrueta in ongoing trafficking operations and threats of violence.
During a February 2023 search of Orizaba-Zendejas’ residence, investigators seized more than 11,000 fentanyl pills, nearly a kilogram of fentanyl powder, more than 1.6 kilograms of heroin, a loaded AR-15 rifle, body armor, scales, cash packaging materials, and a money counter. A Yakima narcotics detective testified the fentanyl seizure ranked as the third-largest in the Yakima area at the time.
At sentencing, U.S. District Judge Dana Sabraw described the conspiracy as extraordinarily violent. “It’s hard to overstate the nature and scope of this conspiracy, and the violence within that conspiracy,” Sabraw said, adding that Orizaba-Zendejas played a significant role in distributing narcotics, transporting money, acquiring firearms, and carrying out orders from the organization’s leadership.
U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon said the 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.”
Homeland Security Investigations Acting Special Agent in Charge Kevin Murphy said the sentence reflects years of cooperation among federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.
“Today’s sentencing is a testament to the tireless dedication and collaboration of HSI and our federal, state, and local partners to dismantle criminal organizations and bring justice to victims and their loved ones,” Murphy said.
