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A pair of Southgate men faces federal charges over allegations that they stole more than 12 casino winners and robbed them at muzzle on the highway.
According to the US Lawyer’s Office for the Central District of California, Juan Gabriel Gonzalez, 22, and Derek Nathan Lopez, 21, are facing multiple counts of interference from robbery and attempts to interfere with commercial transactions.
Lopez was also charged with one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
Federal prosecutors say the pair entered the local casino using fake names. “Hunting” gamers say they’ve either won a ton of games chips or were nearby.
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The pair, along with their nameless co-conspirators, chased the winner into their car and ambushed them on a nearby highway, prosecutors said. On the highway, they are said to swing firearms around, break windows, and demand cash and tips before escaping the scene.
These scenarios have occurred at least 15 times, prosecutors argue.
Prosecutors cited a specific case where Lopez was found in casino surveillance footage. There, he was able to celebrate the woman’s gambling victory and see her earning high after her victory.
Less than an hour later, authorities said Lopez and his conspirators had placed the woman at the muzzle and stole $21,000 from her. In another example, Lopez and Gonzalez are allegedly stole at least $130,000 in casino prize money from the victim.
Lopez also faces weapon charges as he is not legally permitted to own a firearm. He was convicted in 2023 of grand theft.
If convicted of all charges, each man could face life sentences in prison.
Gonzalez is scheduled to make his first appearance in federal court on Friday. Lopez will be appearing in the coming weeks.
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