A Modesto man who built a reputation across the Central Valley as a food-truck entrepreneur pleaded no contest this week to an array of felony charges accusing him of bilking dozens of customers out of hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Charges, plea and potential punishment
Fernando Jauregui Ochoa, 30, admitted to 18 felony counts of obtaining money by false pretenses and one count of dissuading a witness during a pretrial hearing Aug. 26 in Stanislaus County Superior Court. Under the terms of a plea agreement, he faces up to 20 years in state prison.
"He also admitted to an enhancement alleging he committed two or more felonies involving losses exceeding $500,000, as well as an aggravated circumstance of targeting undocumented immigrants because of their reluctance to contact law enforcement," Stanislaus County Deputy District Attorney Fawn Smolak said.
Prosecutors additionally say Ochoa was convicted on a special-circumstance allegation that he attempted to dissuade a witness from cooperating with investigators by threatening her with violence. He is scheduled to return to court Oct. 30 for sentencing.
Alleged scheme and scope
Stanislaus County prosecutors say Ochoa ran Ceres-based 8A Food Truck Inc., a business that expanded into San Bernardino County. Authorities allege he took deposits and payments from customers who contracted with him to build or sell food trucks and trailers, but did not deliver the vehicles as promised.
In an amended criminal complaint filed in October 2025, prosecutors identified 45 victims who were allegedly defrauded between 2020 and 2024. Those victims were reported to be from the Central Valley, the Bay Area and surrounding communities.
- Defendant: Fernando Jauregui Ochoa, 30
- Business: 8A Food Truck Inc., based in Ceres
- Alleged victims identified: 45
- Alleged total loss threshold in enhancement: more than $500,000
- Next court date: Oct. 30, sentencing
Related allegations and law enforcement action
Ochoa was arrested April 16, 2024, by investigators from the Stanislaus County district attorney's office after complaints that customers had paid deposits for trucks and trailers that were never produced. Prosecutors say some victims were undocumented immigrants and that the defendant took advantage of their hesitancy to contact authorities.
Though prosecutors allege he also defrauded at least three residents of San Bernardino County out of a combined $40,000 in similar transactions, those particular allegations were not prosecuted in Stanislaus County.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Felony counts pleaded to | 18 counts obtaining money by false pretenses; 1 count dissuading a witness |
| Enhancements admitted | Multiple felonies with losses > $500,000; aggravated targeting of undocumented immigrants |
| Potential sentence | Up to 20 years under plea agreement |
| Sentencing date | Oct. 30 |
Community impact and next steps
The case has drawn attention across the Central Valley because of the number of alleged victims and the amount of money involved. Local small-business customers who placed deposits on custom food trucks — a significant investment for many operators — say they were left without the vehicles needed to pursue or sustain their livelihoods.
Because the defendant entered a no-contest plea, the admissions cannot be used against him in any subsequent civil proceedings. Nonetheless, victims may still pursue civil remedies separate from the criminal case.
As Stanislaus County moves toward sentencing, prosecutors say they will continue to coordinate with other jurisdictions where losses are alleged. The case highlights ongoing concerns about scams affecting entrepreneurs and service providers who rely on deposits to secure custom work.
Modesto-area residents who believe they were victimized in similar schemes should contact local law enforcement or the Stanislaus County district attorney's office to report suspected fraud.
