A member of the Gardena 13 street gang will spend the rest of his life in prison for killing a 29-year-old man in front of his home in November 2020, according to the Department of Justice.
The Department of Justice announced Friday that Justin Arteaga, 24, of Gardena, also known as “Hitta,” was found guilty of one count of violent crime by racketeering (VICAR) and aiding and abetting murder after a five-day trial. Announced.
According to a report in the Los Angeles Times, Arteaga was a recruit with the Gardena 13 at the time of the shooting, and prosecutors say Arteaga “wanted to prove himself worthy” and “desperate to become a member.” ”. ”
On November 13, 2020, two gang members, Arteaga and Gardena 13, allegedly confronted the victim and his brother as they were sitting in a car parked in front of their home.
“As the victim felt disrespected by Gardena 13 and the three assailants, all three assailants pulled out guns and began shooting the victim,” the Justice Department said in a statement.
After the victim was shot, the victim’s father, a former federal agent, jumped out to help his son, at which point a gunfight broke out between the father and gang members, the Los Angeles Times reported.
The Department of Justice said police and paramedics responded and treated a 29-year-old victim, who died at the scene, as well as a gangster named George Hernandez, who was found lying in the street with gunshot wounds to the head and chest. One of the members was taken to the hospital, where he later died.
Arteaga was arrested four days later at Los Angeles International Airport as he prepared to board a one-way flight to Mexico, according to a Justice Department report.
“This defendant recklessly took a promising young life and will spend the rest of his days in federal prison,” said U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada. “Gang violence devastates the most vulnerable communities and causes untold pain to hardworking families. We sympathize with the families of the victims and applaud their courage in standing up for justice and accountability. I will send you
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