Defendants Convicted of Murder in Fast-Food Parking Lot

DATE: March 16, 2026

CASE: Samuel Amorado & Andres Santibenez (Case #23FE010966)

PROSECUTOR: Principal Criminal Attorney TeriAnn Grimes, Homicide Unit

On March 13, 2026, Samuel Amorado and Andres Santibenez were convicted by a jury of the first-degree murder of Gabriel Espinoza, a Native American member of the Wilton Rancheria Tribe.  The jury also found true that Amorado personally used a deadly or dangerous weapon during the crime.

In July 2023, a friend of Samuel Amorado and Andres Santibenez got into an altercation with the victim. The injured friend enlisted the help of both defendants to chase the victim down. Amorado armed himself with a machete and got into Santibenez’s car to pursue the victim. They reached the victim in a fast-food parking lot, where they chased him by car and on foot.  When they caught up to the victim, the victim was physically assaulted before Santibenez ran him over and dragged him along the ground. Amorado then walked up to the incapacitated victim and sliced his neck with the machete, killing him instantly.

Amorado faces a maximum sentence of 26 years to life in prison. Santibenez faces a maximum of 25 years to life in prison.  Sentencing is set for April 17, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. in Department 40 before the Honorable Steve White.