Three Santa Maria gang members held to answer in San Luis Obispo assault case

By Staff Report · Wed Aug 12 2026

SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY — Three Santa Maria men accused of participating in a violent group assault in downtown San Luis Obispo in 2024 have been ordered to stand trial on assault charges following a preliminary hearing, according to the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office.

Alex LopezRamirez, Miguel Mendez and Brian RamirezLopez were held to answer on all charges and allegations following the hearing in San Luis Obispo County Superior Court. Judge Michael Duffy found sufficient evidence to proceed with the case.

According to evidence presented at the hearing, the three men allegedly participated in an Oct. 6, 2024, group assault near Hotel Cerro. Prosecutors allege the men repeatedly punched, kicked and stomped the victim, including continuing the assault after the victim was unconscious in the roadway.

The victim was transported to a hospital for treatment of severe injuries. The assault was captured on video, which was presented as evidence along with additional recordings made by the defendants after the incident, according to the District Attorney’s Office.

Prosecutors allege the three defendants are members of a Santa Maria criminal street gang and that the victim was a member of a rival gang.

Each defendant was held to answer on a charge of assault by means likely to produce great bodily injury, along with allegations that each personally inflicted great bodily injury and that the crime was committed for the benefit of a criminal street gang.

"Gang violence has no place in San Luis Obispo County," District Attorney Dan Dow said. "This was a brutal group attack that continued even after the victim was unconscious and defenseless in the middle of a public street. Our community is safer when those who bring this kind of violence here are held fully accountable, and this office will continue to pursue that accountability alongside our law enforcement partners."

The case was investigated by the San Luis Obispo Police Department, San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office Bureau of Investigators and Santa Maria Police Department. Deputy District Attorney Cameron Simoes is prosecuting the case.

All three defendants are currently out of custody. The case is scheduled for Superior Court arraignment Sept. 17 at 8:30 a.m. in Department 6.

The charges are allegations, and all three defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.

Feature Image courtesy of SLO County District Attorney's Office