RivCo Gang Member Who Killed Five Sentenced To Death

BANNING, CA — A notorious Banning gang member, who conspired in or carried out five killings across Riverside County over a decade, was handed a death sentence on Friday.

The sentencing took place at the Riverside Hall of Justice.

After deliberating for only a few hours in October, jurors recommended the death sentence penalty for 28-year-old William Arnold Armendariz III.

Armendariz’s sentencing will mark the final step in a years-long prosecution that authorities say dismantled one of Banning’s most violent street gangs.

The Banning Police Department said capital punishment would ensure Banning is a "safer place," in a previous release.

"Although the recent convictions do not bring loved ones back to their families, the Banning Police Department hopes to have provided some justice and closure to the families," Banning Police Capt. Brandon Smith said back in October.

In July, the Banning man pleaded guilty to five counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted murder. He also pleaded guilty to a special circumstance allegation of killing for the benefit of a criminal street gang and several sentence-enhancing gun and great bodily injury allegations, according to court records.

The October panel of jurors was tasked solely with determining whether Armendariz should receive life in prison without parole or the death penalty. After roughly three weeks of testimony, it took just a few hours for jurors to choose the latter.

Armendariz, identified as a member of the East Side Banning Sapos gang, is being held at the Robert Presley Detention Center.

Several of his co-defendants were convicted and sentenced in recent years, the department said.

A String of Killings

Prosecutors said Armendariz was convicted in connection with the slayings of Bradley Cunningham, 21; James Lara Jr., 53; Felicia McCafferty, 48; Charles Neazer, 51; and Theresa Sanchez, 42.

• Nov. 7, 2015: Neazer was shot and killed near Fifth and Williams streets in the early morning hours.
• July 1, 2018: Cunningham was fatally shot near Lincoln Street and Navajo Road. His friend narrowly escaped the gunfire, according to investigators.
• Aug. 30, 2020: Lara, McCafferty, and Sanchez were gunned down while gathered at San Gorgonio Memorial Park Cemetery.

The cases have remained cold until forensic evidence and witness statements linked the crimes, identifying Armendariz as the ringleader. His younger brother, Christopher Armendariz and several other gang members were later implicated.Both brothers were arrested in Illinois during a traffic stop conducted by members of a DEA Drug Interdiction Task Force, according to Brandon Smith, Lieutenant and Acting Captain of the Banning Police Department.

Co-Defendants’ Cases

While Armendariz awaited trial, his co-conspirators faced separate prosecutions:

• Samuel Vasquez was convicted in 2023 of two murders — including Neazer’s and that of Henry Waters Jr. in 2017 — and sentenced to life without parole.
• Christopher Armendariz pleaded guilty in 2022 to voluntary manslaughter and gang activity, receiving an 11-year prison term.
• Brandon Hylkema, another Sapos member, pleaded guilty in 2023 to manslaughter and gang charges tied to Cunningham’s death. He’s scheduled for sentencing Feb. 13 at the Riverside Hall of Justice.
• Jovanny Daniel Martinez is slated to stand trial in late January for murder in connection with Cunningham’s killing.

Both Hylkema and Martinez remain jailed without bail.

City News Service contributed to this report.