Guilty Verdict for Attempted Murder of a Police Officer During Gang Robbery
On June 3, 2025, in Department 10 of the Tulare County Superior Court, Visalia Division, TCDA prosecutors secured a guilty verdict against gang member Samuel Camposeco, age 29, for the 2017 attempted murder of a police officer in Dinuba during a robbery.
On January 5, 2017, Camposeco and Luis Vargas, both armed with semi-automatic weapons, entered the Texaco gas station store in Dinuba. An off-duty police officer who was inside the store noticed the men acting suspiciously and exited the building to call police. By chance, a Dinuba police department officer arrived at the gas station during the start of his shift. Through the windows, the officers observed Vargas pistol whipping the store clerk while Camposeco pointed his gun at him.
The on-duty officer announced “Dinuba Police Department” as he entered the business and fired at the men to stop the assault. Vargas and Camposeco immediately fired at the officer, narrowly missing him as he retreated to the protection of his patrol car. After grabbing some money, Vargas and Camposeco fled the store. Vargas ran toward the officer’s position while Camposeco ran in a different direction.
The officer pursued Vargas on foot. Despite repeated warnings to drop his gun, Vargas continued to fire and was struck several times by the officer’s return fire. Vargas later died of his injuries. Camposeco escaped but was arrested a month later in the city of Exeter.
In a bifurcated trial pursuant to AB 333, Camposeco was found guilty of attempted murder of a peace officer with premeditation with the special allegation of discharging a firearm, conspiracy to commit robbery with the special allegations of use of a firearm and that the crime was committed for the benefit of a criminal street gang, robbery with the special allegations of discharge of a firearm and that the crime was committed for the benefit of a criminal street gang, assault with a semi-automatic firearm on a peace officer with the special allegation of use of a firearm, and assault with a semi-automatic firearm on the store clerk with the special allegations of use of a firearm and that the crime was for the benefit of a criminal street gang.
The jury returned its verdict on May 29 and found true that the crimes were for the benefit of a street gang on June 3, 2025. Camposeco possesses a prior strike conviction for attempted residential burglary in 2016.
Sentencing is scheduled for July 1, 2025, in Tulare County Superior Court where Camposeco faces over 60 years to life in prison.
Media inquiries can be directed to the Office of the District Attorney, County of Tulare Chief Deputy District Attorney Dan Underwood (559) 636-5494