Two arrested for attempted murder of woman; Sheriff's Sgt. says victim was chosen "as a result of gang politics"

Two people were arrested by Sheriff's detectives on Dec. 30 and charged with the attempted murder of a 27-year-old woman in Fallbrook on Dec. 22.

Jason Samuel Hernandez, 39, of Riverside (formerly of Fallbrook) and Korina Catherine Dean, 24, of Fallbrook have been charged in the attack against the woman, which occurred at the Econo Lodge motel in the 1600 block of South Mission Road at about 10:30 p.m. that night.

According to Sheriff's Sgt. Patrick Yates, the incident was not a random attack.

"These are known gang associates that were trying to do some house cleaning; there has been turmoil in the gang hierarchy and this is related to that," said Yates. "The victim was specifically chosen due to internal gang politics."

Both Hernandez and Dean are in custody on charges of attempted murder, with additional allegations. Hernandez' charges also include violation of felony parole. His bail is currently set at $1 million and Dean's at $500,000 – however, court approval is required for either to be released on bail.

Yates said the Sheriff's Dept. will not release the identity of the woman attacked at this time, but did say that she is recovering from her injuries.

The number of members in the Fallbrook criminal street gang currently amount to about 105, Yates said. "Ninety-eight percent of those are males."