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Juan Gabriel Gonzalez, 22, and Dereck Nathan Lopez, 21 plead guilty to the brazen ambush robberies, some of which occurred along the highway after victims left the casino
After following their victims from the casino, they would launch brutal ambushes on the highway, wielding firearms, shattering car windows, and demanding money or chips before vanishing into the night.
A sentencing hearing is scheduled for August 13. Lopez and Gonzalez have agreed to serve 14 years in federal prison
Two Southern California men have plead guilty to robbing individuals of a total of $274,000 worth of cash as they left LA area casinos.
Juan Gabriel Gonzalez, 22, and Dereck Nathan Lopez, 21, stood accused in Los Angeles federal court of a string of heinous crimes. They faced multiple charges of interference and attempted interference with commerce by robbery, as well as multiple counts of using firearms during violent acts.
A chilling 10-count indictment painted a picture of Lopez and Gonzalez prowling casinos in Los Angeles under false identities, targeting unsuspecting gamblers who appeared to be on winning streaks. After following their victims from the casino, they would launch brutal ambushes on the highway, wielding firearms, shattering car windows, and demanding money or chips before vanishing into the night.
The brazen duo, along with their accomplices, are accused of robbing or attempting to rob individuals leaving casinos on a shocking 15 occasions, including a staggering three incidents in a single night!
In a disturbing twist, Lopez was captured on casino surveillance video (photo) celebrating a gambling victory with a victim he had been tracking, even going so far as to high-five the victim after their win, according to court documents.
In a heart-stopping turn of events, Lopez and his cohorts allegedly blocked a victim's vehicle, brandished weapons, and made off with a jaw-dropping $21,000 in cash within a mere hour. In another harrowing incident, Lopez, Gonzalez, and their partners in crime made off with a staggering $130,000 in casino winnings.
In an October 26, 2023 incident, the duo followed a victim around Hustler Casino in Gardena. They watched as he cashed out $11,000 in casino chips and left the premises. As the victim drove home on the 110 Freeway on-ramp from Redondo Beach Boulevard, the pair stopped the victim’s car.
They opened his car doors, pointed guns at him and demanded he hand over his money and open his car trunk. They took an additional $1,050 in cash and a set of golf clubs worth around $6,000.
On Thursday June 4, 2026, Lopez and Gonzalez pleaded guilty to one count of interference with commerce by robbery under the Hobbs Act.
Lopez also admitted to illegally possessing firearms and ammunition at his home in December 2023. He was prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition due to a conviction in San Bernardino County Superior Court for grand theft in November 2023.
A sentencing hearing is scheduled for August 13. Lopez and Gonzalez have agreed to serve 14 years in federal prison.
The case was investigated by 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.
- Nagesh Rath, Gambling911.com
