A Fresno, California man has been convicted of first-degree murder in a case dating back more than 21 years.

On December 20, 2001, Richard Lucero was found dead in his El Mirage home with a ligature around his neck. The AZDPS Special Investigations Unit (SIU) was requested by the El Mirage Police Department to conduct the death investigation, and SIU investigators determined the manner of death was homicide.

The case initially went cold after all leads and investigative techniques were exhausted at the time. However, with steady advances in DNA analysis, evidence was reanalyzed by the State Crime Lab in 2018 and tested using advanced DNA and latent print analysis techniques. Latent prints entered into a national database matched a record for Frank Gallas Mendoza, who was previously unknown to investigators.

The lab also examined a single source of DNA found on multiple items throughout Lucero’s home, including the ligature around Lucero’s neck. Detectives obtained Mendoza’s DNA, and it was compared to DNA evidence collected from the crime scene. The lab determined the DNA found at the scene belonged to Mendoza.

On September 24, 2018, with assistance from the Fresno Police Department, Mendoza was arrested for the premeditated first-degree murder of Richard Lucero.

Mendoza’s trial began on August 11, 2023, in the Maricopa County Superior Court. On August 15, 2023, the jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict, bringing the case to a close more than two decades after Lucero’s murder.

Mendoza’s sentencing is scheduled to take place on September 12, 2023.

Read the news release on Mendoza's 2018 arrest at azdps.gov/news/releases/881.

PHOENIX – In a collaborative effort to ensure the safety of all motorists over Labor Day weekend, the Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS), California Highway Patrol (CHP) and Nevada Highway Patrol (NHP) are joining forces for a Maximum Enforcement Period (MEP).  The tri-state enforcement initiative begins at 6:01 p.m. on Friday, September 1, and continues through 11:59 p.m. on Monday, September 4.

AZDPS, CHP and NHP are dedicated to ensuring everyone reaches their destinations safely, especially given the surge in traffic that typically accompanies holiday weekends.

Law enforcement will be assisting motorists, looking for traffic violations, and will place special emphasis on identifying and apprehending anyone suspected of driving under the influence (DUI) of drugs and/or alcohol.

“Getting behind the wheel of a vehicle while impaired by alcohol and/or drugs puts every driver, passenger and pedestrian on our roads at risk,” said Colonel Jeffrey Glover, Director of the Arizona Department of Public Safety. “All too often, troopers investigate fatal or serious injury collisions caused by impaired drivers. AZDPS is committed to enforcing laws and educating motorists in our effort to keep everyone safe during Labor Day holiday travel and beyond.”

Last year, over the Labor Day holiday weekend, AZDPS troopers made 87 arrests for impaired driving, enforced over 3,400 speed violations, and investigated four fatal collisions. Make this a safe and fun holiday weekend for everyone sharing our roads: set aside distractions and focus on the task of driving, never drive while impaired, and always wear your seat belt.

A traffic stop on State Route 87 in Payson resulted in the seizure of approximately 10.4 pounds of suspected fentanyl pills and the arrest of two suspects on multiple drug and weapons charges last week.

At 6:05 p.m. on Thursday, August 10, 2023, an Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) trooper initiated a traffic stop on the driver of a Mazda SUV for a non-moving violation on northbound SR 87. During the stop, the trooper observed indicators of criminal activity. A Gila County Sheriff’s Office deputy and canine were requested to assist the trooper, and the detection canine alerted to the suspect vehicle. During a subsequent vehicle search, troopers located approximately 10.4 pounds of suspected fentanyl pills, one stolen Kimber handgun, and two illegally modified fully automatic Glock handguns in the vehicle.

The trooper also determined the front seat passenger was the subject of a valid felony warrant out of Wisconsin.

Both the driver, 22-year-old Kendale Aldridge, of Madison, WI, and passenger, 39-year-old Anthony Spight, of Green Bay, WI, were arrested and booked into the Gila County Jail.

Aldridge and Spight face charges including:

• Transportation of a narcotic drug for sale
• Possession of a narcotic drug for sale
• Possession of a narcotic drug
• Possession of drug paraphernalia
• Manufacture/possession/sale of a prohibited weapon (3 counts)
• Possession of a weapon by a prohibited person
• Possession of a weapon in a drug offense (3 counts)
• Failure to admit to carrying a deadly weapon
• Theft of a firearm
• Possession of a stolen firearm

Spight was also booked into jail on the outstanding felony warrant.