Two Men Indicted for Deadly Houston Food Truck Robbery
Federal grand jury charges followed the 2025 shooting death of a 36-year-old food truck owner.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Crime — General
A federal grand jury has indicted Angel Saldivar-James and Oscar Armando Roland Menjevar in connection with a fatal robbery at an Aldine food truck. The suspects are accused of causing the death of owner Yaddua Barraza-Hernandez during a late-night incident in December 2025.
Why it matters
The federal charges, which include conspiracy to commit robbery and using a firearm resulting in death, escalate the legal consequences for the pair who previously faced state capital murder charges. The case highlights a broader string of alleged aggravated robberies involving the suspects throughout Houston and Harris County.
Angel Saldivar-James, 24, and Oscar Armando Roland Menjevar, 20, face federal charges including firearm use resulting in death. The suspects are scheduled for a federal court appearance on Oct. 2 following their September indictment.
The players
Angel Saldivar-James
He is a 24-year-old suspect accused of possessing a handgun while unlawfully in the United States.
Oscar Armando Roland Menjevar
He is a 20-year-old suspect indicted on federal charges for his alleged involvement in the robbery.
Yaddua Barraza-Hernandez
The 36-year-old food truck owner was killed during the December 2025 incident.
The details
The suspects allegedly approached Esbeidy's Mexican Food on West Dyna Drive at 10:45 p.m. two days before the fatal encounter on Dec. 4. Saldivar-James is further accused of illegal firearm possession while unlawfully present in the United States.
Timeline
Dec. 2, 2025: Suspects initially approached the food truck.
Dec. 4, 2025: Yaddua Barraza-Hernandez was killed during the robbery attempt.
Sept. 22, 2026: A federal grand jury indicted the two men.
Oct. 2, 2026: The suspects are scheduled to appear in federal court.
Legal Context
This case follows a pattern of federal intervention in violent local crimes where prosecutors seek enhanced sentencing authority. By shifting from state-level capital murder charges to a federal indictment, the case invokes the federal death penalty statute as a potential outcome.
This indictment marks a significant development for the local community regarding the safety of small business owners operating in Harris County. Residents and local business owners may see continued law enforcement scrutiny in the area as the federal investigation into these linked robberies proceeds.
The takeaway
This case underscores the severe legal ramifications for violent crimes targeting local food vendors. It serves as a reminder of the heightened law enforcement coordination between state and federal agencies in addressing strings of aggravated robberies.
What happens next
The defendants are set for a federal court appearance on Oct. 2, 2026, which will mark a key procedural step in the ongoing prosecution.
Further reading
For more updates on regional law enforcement, visit Crime — General.
