Man sentenced to 11 years in prison in death of unhoused Clovis man

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Francisco Mondragon pleaded no contest Wednesday at the Fresno County Courthouse in the death of a 52-year-old unhoused man who was fatally injured in Clovis in August 2024.

Judge Daniel Brickey said Mondragon will serve 11 years in prison under a stipulated agreement reached between the prosecution and defense.

"As well as a waiver of appellate rights, would you like to heard? Submitted on the stipulated agreement. Would the people like to be heard? Also submitted in a stipulated agreement," Brickey said during the hearing.

Officials said Mondragon punched John Chandler in the face because Chandler allegedly owed him $40. Chandler was living at Bicentennial Park near Sunnyside and Sierra avenues in Clovis.

When police initially responded, the call was for an injured man.

"Report of a transit male face down not responding, EMS en route, near the canopy," according to the radio traffic.

Officials said Chandler died two days later from his injuries.

A prosecutor told Action News that Chandler's family was not present during the court proceedings, despite seeking accountability in the case. The prosecutor also said investigators faced challenges obtaining cooperation and witness statements at the scene.

Mondragon's wife attended Wednesday's hearing and, while emotional, declined to comment.

Mondragon will serve his sentence through the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. During the hearing, Brickey outlined requirements related to identification and forensic records.

"A thumbprint, full thumbprint of each hand and any blood specimen or biological samples for law enforcement and the defendant will be included in the DNA and forensic ID database," Brickey said.

The prosecution also requested that restitution fines be directed to the California Victim Compensation Board.

The fatal assault initially shocked many residents because Bicentennial Park is widely known as a family-friendly location in Clovis.

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