**Dinuba Man Sentenced to 50 Years to Life for Attempted Murder of Police Officer in 2017 Gang-Related Robbery**

Dinuba Man Sentenced to 50 Years to Life for Attempted Murder of Police Officer in 2017 Gang-Related Robbery

A chapter of justice has finally closed in a harrowing case that has lingered over the city of Dinuba, California, and its law enforcement community for over seven years. On July 1, 2025, in Department 10 of the Tulare County Superior Court, 29-year-old Samuel Camposeco was sentenced to 50 years to life in prison for the attempted murder of a peace officer during a violent gang-related armed robbery at a Texaco gas station in 2017.

The sentencing marks the end of a long and emotional journey for the victim, fellow officers, and a city still healing from the events of that night.

🔫 The 2017 Armed Robbery and Attack on Law Enforcement

The incident occurred on August 9, 2017, when Camposeco, then 21 years old and already known to law enforcement for his ties to a violent criminal street gang, entered the Texaco gas station on Alta Avenue in Dinuba with the intent to rob it at gunpoint. Surveillance footage and witness accounts later confirmed that Camposeco was armed with a semi-automatic handgun and was not acting alone—police later determined the robbery was planned and coordinated by a local gang faction.

During the robbery, a Dinuba police officer—responding to a silent alarm—entered the scene and was immediately fired upon by Camposeco, who aimed directly at the officer’s head. The officer was hit in the upper body but survived due to a bulletproof vest. A second round missed by inches.

Camposeco fled the scene, initiating a multi-agency manhunt that would last for several days before he was apprehended in a neighboring county.

⚖️ Legal Proceedings and Conviction

The trial, delayed multiple times due to procedural challenges and the COVID-19 pandemic, finally commenced in late 2024. Prosecutors with the Tulare County District Attorney’s Office presented extensive evidence tying Camposeco to the gang, the firearm, and the assault. They charged him with:

• Attempted murder of a peace officer

• Armed robbery

• Use of a firearm in the commission of a felony

• Gang enhancement charges

Jurors took less than a day to return a guilty verdict on all counts in May 2025. Judge Maricela Gutierrez imposed the maximum sentence allowable under California law for the attempted murder of a law enforcement officer: 50 years to life.

During sentencing, Judge Gutierrez described Camposeco’s actions as “cold, calculated, and without regard for human life,” adding that his history of gang violence “posed a continuing threat to public safety.”

🧑‍✈️ Victim Impact and Department Reaction

The injured officer, who asked not to be identified publicly, was present in court with family and colleagues. In a moving victim impact statement, the officer said:

“That night changed my life. It wasn’t just a robbery—it was an execution attempt. Every time I put on my badge, I carry the memory of that moment. But today, I also carry justice.”

The Dinuba Police Department released a statement following the sentencing:

“We are thankful that justice has been served for our officer and for the people of Dinuba. This sentencing sends a strong message that violence against law enforcement and acts of terror driven by gang affiliations will not be tolerated.”

🧩 Gang Activity and Community Response

Camposeco’s sentencing has also reignited conversations about gang violence in the Central Valley. Tulare County, like many regions in California’s agricultural belt, has faced persistent challenges from organized street gangs, many of whom prey on vulnerable communities and use violent tactics to maintain control.

Community leaders and anti-gang advocates hope this case will catalyze more investment in youth intervention programs, outreach services, and stronger partnerships between law enforcement and neighborhoods affected by crime.

Dinuba Mayor Angelica Rivera expressed hope for the future:

“We cannot undo what happened in 2017, but we can continue to build a safer community by learning from this tragedy. This outcome is a step forward in that journey.”

🔒 A Final Reckoning

As Samuel Camposeco was led out of the courtroom in handcuffs for what may be the rest of his life, there was a sense of relief—and sorrow. Relief that justice had prevailed. Sorrow for the years lost, the trauma endured, and the reminder of how dangerous public service can be.

The Dinuba officer survived that night because of protective gear, training, and perhaps fate. But the scars, physical and emotional, remain. With this sentencing, the community can now begin to truly heal