Two South Gate men are facing federal charges for allegedly committing more than a dozen armed robberies targeting the winnings of people leaving local casinos, officials announced Friday, May 9.
Juan Gabriel Gonzalez, 22, and Dereck Nathan Lopez, 21, are charged in Los Angeles federal court with multiple counts of interference and attempted interference with commerce by robbery — known as a Hobbs Act crime — one count of Hobbs Act conspiracy and multiple counts of using firearms during a crime of violence. Lopez is also charged with one count of being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
A 10-count indictment alleges that Lopez and Gonzalez entered local casinos under false names to hunt gamblers appearing to win or cash-in a large number of chips. Lopez, Gonzalez and others 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, prosecutors allege.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Lopez, Gonzalez and associates allegedly robbed and attempted to rob individuals leaving casinos on at least 15 occasions, including three on a single night.
Before one incident, Lopez is seen on casino surveillance video celebrating a gambling victory with a victim he was scouting, including high-fiving the victim after the win, court documents allege.
Within an hour, Lopez’s co-conspirators had allegedly blocked her vehicle, brandished firearms and stolen $21,000 in cash. In a separate incident, Lopez, Gonzalez and their co-conspirators stole at least $130,000 in casino winnings, federal prosecutors contend.
Officials say Lopez is also charged with being a felon in possession of three firearms and over 30 rounds of ammunition found 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 Superior Court for grand theft in November 2023 during the period of the indicted robbery spree, prosecutors said.
If convicted of all charges, each defendant would face up to life in federal prison, prosecutors noted.