Life imprisonment is the sentence handed down to Justin Arteaga by U.S. District Judge André Birotte Jr., following his conviction for a gang-related murder in Gardena that claimed the life of a 29-year-old man in 2020. Arteaga, known as "Hitta," was found guilty of violent crime in aid of racketeering murder after a jury trial that concluded on July.
According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Central District of California, Arteaga, 24, has been ordered to pay restitution amounting to $37,554, and, has been in custody since December 2020. United States Attorney Martin Estrada expressed his sympathy for the victim's family, commenting on the profound impact of gang violence on communities and the deep scars it leaves on those who lose loved ones to such acts.
The fatal incident that led to Arteaga's sentencing occurred on November 13, 2020. Arteaga, alongside other gang members, engaged in a confrontation that escalated into a deadly shooting outside the victim's home. After the victim had been shot, his father engaged in a shootout with the assailants, which included another gang member named Jesus Hernandez, also known as "Rowdy." Homeland Security Investigations Los Angeles Special Agent in Charge Eddy Wang hopes the sentencing brings a measure of peace to the family while highlighting law enforcement's dedication to combating violent crime, as reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office, Central District of California.
Further information shared by officials revealed that Jesus Hernandez and Antonio Yanez, another participant in the crime, have also faced legal consequences for their actions. Hernandez pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and received a 110-month prison sentence. Yanez's guilty plea to violent crime in aid of racketeering, among other charges, has set his sentencing date for January 31, 2025, as detailed by the U.S. Attorney's Office, Central District of California.
Gardena Police Chief Michael Saffell recognized the collective efforts of the United States Attorney's Office and Homeland Security Investigations in securing this result. The Gardena Police, along with the aforementioned federal agencies, investigated the murder. Assistant United States Attorneys, including Kevin J. Butler and Varun Behl, are credited with prosecuting the case, as per the U.S. Attorney's Office.
