Porterville Gang Member Sentenced to Life Without Parole for 2023 Murder
This morning in Department 23 of the Tulare County Superior Court, South County Justice Center, the court sentenced Oscar Zavala, age 29, to life in prison without the possibility of parole. TCDA prosecutors secured guilty verdicts against Zavala for the 2023 gang murder of a rival gang member last month.
At approximately 1:45 am on July 10, 2023, at a Porterville motel, Zavala shot and killed the victim who was also at the motel. Using video surveillance, law enforcement observed Zavala and the victim briefly exchange words in passing, after which Zavala went to his own room and exited after a minute. Footage then showed Zavala approach the victim and fire a single shot. Both the victim and Zavala fled the area.
The victim’s body was not discovered until the morning as the victim collapsed in a secluded area of the motel. Through investigation, law enforcement found a convenience store receipt for an alcoholic drink in Zavala’s room. Upon looking at video surveillance at the convenience store, Zavala was seen wearing the same clothes as in the footage from the motel. Law enforcement took Zavala into custody a few days later at a house in Porterville.
At trial on January 16, 2026, at the South County Justice Center, Zavala was found guilty of first-degree murder with the special allegation of using a firearm. Under AB 333 (2022), prosecutors must try gang allegations separate from the charged crime. On January 21, 2026, the jury convicted Zavala of the special circumstance that the crime was committed for the benefit of a criminal street gang and that the crime constituted street terrorism.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Noell Niayesh, Assistant District Attorney Larann Box and Deputy District Attorney Michelle Payne and was investigated by the Porterville Police Department.
Media inquiries can be directed to the Office of the District Attorney, County of Tulare Chief Deputy District Attorney Dave Alavezos (559) 636-5494