FRESNO, Calif — Erik Quiroz Razo, 28, was sentenced to 21 months in prison for conspiring with others to assist 33-year-old Paulo Virgen Mendoza flee California to Mexico after he allegedly killed Newman Police Corporal Ronil Singh during a traffic stop in 2018.
Razo, along with Mendoza's brother, 34-year-old Conrado Virgen Mendoza, reportedly helped Mendoza conceal his truck and drove him to various locations. Officials said Razo reportedly disposed of Paulo's loaded firearm. Last September, a jury found Quiroz guilty.
Razo is an undocumented immigrant from Michoacán, Mexico, who was living in Merced when the shooting happened, a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.
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Mendoza's brother, Conrado, is due back in court on Tuesday 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.
On Dec. 26, 2018, Mendoza, originally identified as Gustavo Perez Arriaga, was pulled over by Cpl. Singh for suspicion of driving under the influence. During the traffic stop, Cpl. Singh announced over the radio shots fired and he had been hit. Cpl. Singh was taken to a hospital in Turlock, where he later died.
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The investigation led police to Mendoza who was found in Lamont. Kern County Sheriff Deputies and SWAT surrounded Mendoza and arrested him.
Stanislaus County Sheriffs said Mendoza was in the United States illegally and planned to flee to Mexico.
