Overview
- Mendoza, shot during an April 7 traffic stop in Patterson, entered a not guilty plea Monday to two counts of assault on a federal officer and one count of damaging government property.
- DHS says agents fired defensive shots after he tried to drive into them during the enforcement stop targeting him for arrest.
- His lawyer disputes that account, saying he panicked after agents boxed in his car, denies any gang ties, and notes a murder acquittal in El Salvador.
- Dashcam footage published by KCRA shows parts of the stop but is silent and incomplete on timing, and the FBI complaint lacked interviews with the two agents who fired.
- He requested a jury trial Monday, a status conference is set for July 27, and his attorney says he is recovering after several surgeries for gunshot wounds.