On December 13, 2023, Justin Arteaga, 24, a member of the Gardena 13 street gang, was sentenced to life in federal prison for the murder of a 29-year-old man in front of his family’s home. U.S. District Judge André Birotte Jr. also ordered Arteaga to pay $37,554 in restitution for the victim’s family.
The murder occurred on November 13, 2020, when Arteaga, along with two other gang members—Antonio Yanez, 26, and George Hernandez, also known as “Tank” and “Lil Vampy”—confronted the victim and his brother in front of their Gardena home. The victim allegedly disrespected the gang, prompting the three men to open fire. Following the shooting, the victim’s father attempted to assist his son but was involved in a shootout with the gang members.
George Hernandez was critically injured and later died from gunshot wounds. Arteaga was arrested four days after the incident while attempting to board a one-way flight to Mexico at Los Angeles International Airport.
U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada condemned the violence, stating, “Gang violence brings devastation to our most vulnerable communities and immeasurable pain to hard-working families.”
This sentence underscores the consequences of gang violence and its impact on innocent lives.