Two California Men Plead Guilty in Casino Patron Robbery Scheme
LOS ANGELES – Two Southern California men have pleaded guilty to robbing casino patrons after following them from gambling venues and ambushing them at gunpoint.
LISTEN TO THIS ARTICLE:Dereck Nathan Lopez, 22, and Juan Gabriel Gonzalez, 23, both of South Gate, admitted to taking part in at least 15 robberies and attempted robberies in Los Angeles County between May and December 2023.
Federal prosecutors said the pair stole at least $274,600 in cash, casino chips and other property from victims leaving local casinos.
Related: Boonville Casino Robbery Suspect Charged as Second Man Remains Sought
Prosecutors Say Winners Were Followed from Casinos
According to plea agreements, Lopez and Gonzalez entered casinos using fake names and looked for gamblers who appeared to be winning or cashing out large amounts of chips. The casinos named in court documents included Hustler Casino in Gardena, Parkwest Bicycle Casino and Commerce Casino & Hotel.
Prosecutors said the men followed the victims’ vehicles after they left the casino. They then ambushed them on roads or freeway ramps, brandished firearms, smashed vehicle windows and demanded money or chips.
In one October 2023 incident, Lopez and Gonzalez followed a victim inside Hustler Casino as he cashed out $11,000 in chips. Prosecutors said they later stopped his vehicle on the 110 Freeway on-ramp from Redondo Beach Boulevard, pointed guns at him and stole additional cash and golf clubs.
More Casinos & Games
Robbery Spree Included Multiple Victims
Federal prosecutors said the pair and their associates targeted people leaving casinos on multiple occasions, including three victims on a single night in December 2023.
In another incident cited in court documents, Lopez was seen on casino surveillance video celebrating with a woman he was allegedly scouting after she won. Within an hour, prosecutors said, co-conspirators blocked her vehicle and stole $21,000 in cash at gunpoint.
A separate incident involved the theft of at least $130,000 in casino winnings from another victim.
Sentencing Scheduled for August
Lopez and Gonzalez each pleaded guilty to one count of interference with commerce by robbery under the Hobbs Act.
Lopez also admitted to illegally possessing firearms and ammunition after three firearms and more than 30 rounds were found at his home in December 2023. Prosecutors said he was barred from possessing guns or ammunition because of a previous grand theft conviction in San Bernardino County.
Both men have been in federal custody since May 2025. Their sentencing hearing is scheduled for August 13, and each faces a statutory maximum of 20 years in federal prison. Prosecutors said both have agreed to serve 14 years.
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.
RELATED TOPICS: Casinos & Games
Review this New Post
Leave a Comment
User Comments
Comments for Two California Men Plead Guilty in Casino Patron Robbery Scheme