Life Sentence for 2020 First-Degree Murder

Today in Tulare County Superior Court, the court sentenced Antonio Mendoza Chavez, Jr., age 37, to life in prison for the August 2020 murder of a man in Dinuba.

In early August 2020, Chavez broke up with his girlfriend and forcibly removed her from his trailer. Having no money, food, or shelter, she went to a friend of Chavez’s, the eventual victim, who let her stay the night. Chavez and his girlfriend soon reconciled.

On August 14, 2020, Chavez’s girlfriend told him she had spent the night at his friend’s house during their breakup. The couple were in Squaw Valley (now Yokuts Valley) at the time. Believing that she had cheated on him, Chavez grew angry and worked throughout the day on obtaining and test firing a .22 AR-15 rifle. Late that night, Chavez forced his girlfriend to go with him to the victim’s house in the Dinuba area. At the residence, Chavez shot the victim once through the eye, killing him. The pair then returned north where Chavez burned their clothes and the tires of the car. A few weeks later on September 4, Chavez ventured to the Sultana area and was detained by law enforcement after a brief vehicle chase.

On August 30, 2024, a jury convicted Chavez of first-degree murder with the special allegation of use of a firearm. According to current California sentencing guidelines, Chavez must serve 25 years in prison before being considered for parole.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Benjamin Taksa and was investigated by the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office. The TCDA Bureau of Investigations provided trial support ensuring witnesses from the day of the shooting were present to give testimony.

Media inquiries can be directed to the Office of the District Attorney, County of Tulare Communications Director Stuart Anderson (559) 636-5494