Christian Lugo, also known as Coco, who led a tow truck and auto repair business, has been sentenced to 19 years in prison. The sentence comes after he admitted to participating in a dispute that led to the death of competitor Gloria Ortiz.
According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Lugo's business, Certified Auto, engaged in criminal activities beyond towing and auto repair, including wire, mail, and insurance fraud. These offenses were accompanied by acts of violence and intimidation aimed at maintaining control over territory in the Bronx. Prosecutors state that Lugo permitted and encouraged subordinates to fire on members of a rival company, leading to the death of Gloria Ortiz and injuries to two others on February 7, 2022.
Lugo’s rivalry with Ortiz’s tow truck company intensified after a pickup truck, illegally modified as a tow truck, collided with another vehicle in Ortiz’s territory. The incident led to a dispute that escalated into a violent confrontation. U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton stated that Lugo acknowledged his rivalry with other tow truck companies played a role in the events that ultimately resulted in the fatal outcome.
In addition to his 19-year prison sentence, the 38-year-old Bronx resident will serve six years of supervised release after his incarceration. U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton acknowledged the contributions of the FBI New York Safe Streets Task Force, the New York City Police Department, and the Bronx County District Attorney's Office in the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael R. Herman, Ni Qian, and Andrew Jones handled the prosecution.
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