LOS ANGELES — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (USAO - California, Central), published as received.
LOS ANGELES – Two South Gate men pleaded guilty today to committing more than a dozen armed robberies, stealing gambling winnings from individuals leaving local casinos, stealing at least $274,600 in cash, casino chips, and other property.
Dereck Nathan Lopez, 22, and Juan Gabriel Gonzalez, 23, pleaded guilty to one count of interference with commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act).
Both defendants have been in federal custody since May 2025.
According to their plea agreements, Lopez and Gonzalez entered local casinos under false names to hunt gamblers appearing to win or cash-in many chips. Lopez and Gonzalez then followed the victims’ vehicles from the casino, ambushed them on the highway, brandished firearms, smashed the vehicle’s windows, demanded money or chips, and fled.
Lopez and Gonzalez admitted to 15 robberies and attempted robberies committed in Los Angeles County from May 2023 to December 2023, including three victims leaving a casino on a single night in December 2023.
For example, on October 26, 2023, the defendants, both using fake licenses, followed a victim around a casino in Gardena. Lopez and Gonzalez monitored the victim as he cashed out $11,000 in casino chips and left the Hustler Casino. As the victim drove home on the 110 freeway on ramp from Redondo Beach Boulevard, co-participants in the scheme stopped the victim’s vehicle. The co-participants approached both doors of the victim’s vehicle, pointed guns at him, and demanded money and for the victim to open the trunk. Co-participants stole $1,050 in cash and golf clubs worth $6,000 from the victim.
Lopez further admitted to illegally possessing firearms and ammunition at his home in December 2023. Lopez is not legally permitted to possess a firearm or ammunition because his criminal history includes a conviction in San Bernardino County Superior Court for grand theft in November 2023.
United States District Judge George H. Wu scheduled August 13 sentencing hearings for the defendants, who each will face a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.
Lopez and Gonzalez have agreed to serve 14 years in federal prison.
The FBI, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, the Los Angeles Police Department, the California Highway Patrol, the California Department of Justice Bureau of Gambling Control, and the Montebello Police Department are investigating this matter.
Assistant United States Attorneys Kevin J. Butler and Jena A. MacCabe of the Major Crimes Section are prosecuting this case.
