LOS ANGELES, CA – A member of the Gardena 13 street gang has been sentenced to life in federal prison for the murder of a 29-year-old man in front of his home in November 2020, the U.S. Department of Justice announced Friday.
Justin Arteaga, 24, known by the gang moniker “Hitta,” was convicted after a five-day trial of one count of violent crime in aid of racketeering (VICAR) murder. Arteaga, a Gardena resident, was a recruit of the Gardena 13 gang at the time of the killing and was reportedly eager to prove his allegiance, prosecutors said.
According to evidence presented during the trial, Arteaga and two other gang members confronted the victim and his brother as they sat in a parked car outside their home on November 13, 2020. The altercation escalated when the victim allegedly disrespected the gang members, prompting all three assailants to pull out firearms and open fire.
After the initial gunfire, the victim’s father, a retired federal agent, emerged from the home and engaged in a shootout with the gang members, according to the DOJ. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene despite emergency medical efforts.
One of the assailants, George Hernandez, sustained gunshot wounds to his head and chest during the exchange and later died at a hospital.
Arteaga was apprehended four days later at Los Angeles International Airport as he attempted to board a one-way flight to Mexico.
“This defendant senselessly took a promising young life and will now spend the rest of his days in federal prison,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “Gang violence brings devastation on our most vulnerable communities and immeasurable pain on hard-working families. My heart goes out to the victim’s family, and I applaud them for their courage in supporting justice and accountability.”
The conviction and sentencing underscore federal and local law enforcement’s commitment to combating gang violence, which continues to afflict communities in Southern California.
