A Kern County jury found Robert Ornelas guilty of charges stemming from the assault of a female family member following a verbal dispute.

A Kern County jury found Robert Ornelas guilty of charges stemming from the assault of a female family member following a verbal dispute.

The jury found Ornelas guilty of felony Assault with a Deadly Weapon, Battery with Serious Bodily Injury and Resisting a Peace Officer. The jury also found true that the victim suffered great bodily injury.

The case was prosecuted by Deputy DA Wooyoung Kim.

In the afternoon hours of February 15, 2026, officers from the Wasco Police Department responded to a report of a stabbing following a verbal altercation among family members at a Wasco residence. Leading up to the incident, the victim heard her uncle and Ornelas engaged in a verbal argument in the kitchen. The victim entered the kitchen in an attempt to intervene and de-escalate the situation. During the ensuing argument, Ornelas became involved in a dispute with the victim concerning the sale of the residence. Ornelas also made comments regarding the victim’s deceased son. During the argument, Ornelas threatened both the victim and her uncle, stating, “I will kill him,” referring to her uncle, and “I will kill you.”

Ornelas then picked up a kitchen knife from the counter and stabbed the victim in her left flank. The knife penetrated deeply into the victim’s body, causing significant internal injuries, including a laceration to her left kidney, which required surgery to treat.

DA Zimmer commented; “No verbal dispute should ever escalate to the point where someone feels that violence is the answer. Those who rashly resort to physical harm are dangerous individuals who must be removed from the community to protect public safety.”

Sentencing is set for October 23, 2026 where Ornelas faces up to 7 years in prison.