People v. Mendez CA4/3

Filed 9/11/25 P. v. Mendez CA4/3

NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN OFFICIAL REPORTS

California Rules of Court, rule 8.1115(a), prohibits courts and parties from citing or relying on opinions not certified for publication or ordered published, except as specified by rule 8.1115(b). This opinion has not been certified for publication or ordered published for purposes of rule 8.1115.

IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

FOURTH APPELLATE DISTRICT

DIVISION THREE

THE PEOPLE,

Plaintiff and Respondent, G064231 v. (Super. Ct. No. 24WF0114) LUIS MENDEZ, JR., OPINION Defendant and Appellant.

Appeal from a judgment of the Superior Court of Orange County, Lance P. Jensen, Judge. Affirmed. Laura Vavakin, under appointment by the Court of Appeal, for Defendant and Appellant. No appearance for Plaintiff and Respondent.

Luis Mendez, Jr. appeals from a judgment following a jury trial. After examining the record, his appointed appellate counsel filed a brief setting forth the facts of the case but raising no issues and asking this court to independently review the record pursuant to People v. Wende (1979) 25 Cal.3d 436 and Anders v. California (1967) 386 U.S. 738. Mendez has filed a supplemental brief. Having considered his brief and having reviewed the record independently, we affirm. FACTS Special agents with the California Department of Justice approached Mendez’s business and residence in 2022 with a search warrant for firearms registered to him—he had been convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence and thus prohibited from owning or possessing a firearm. (Pen. Code, §§ 243, subd. (e)(1), 29805, subd. (a)(1).)1 The agents twice announced their presence with a search warrant and, after 30 seconds with no response, breached the rear door. Inside, they encountered a wooden barricade and began removing it. In response, Mendez fired one shot from a rifle. The agents retreated. A nine-hour standoff ensued, during which Mendez used a shotgun to shoot down two drones flown into the building and an agent fired back. Mendez ultimately exited the building and was taken into custody. He was charged with attempted murder of a peace officer, three counts of assault with a firearm on a peace officer, resisting an executive officer, and multiple firearm-related offenses, including prohibited ownership or possession of a firearm under section 29805.