California Cardroom Predators Plead Guilty in $274,000 Armed Robbery Spree
Posted on: June 5, 2026, 02:32h.
Last updated on: June 5, 2026, 02:32h.
- Two men admitted targeting casino winners across Los Angeles County
- Robbery crew stole more than $274,000 in cash, property
- Victims were followed from cardrooms and ambushed at gunpoint
Two men who preyed on winners at cardrooms in Southern California have pleaded guilty to robbery charges, federal prosecutors said Thursday.
Dereck Nathan Lopez, 22, and Juan Gabriel Gonzalez, 23, both from South Gate, Calif., admitted to stalking cardrooms looking for victims who appeared to be winning big at the tables.
The pair would then tail the victims before ambushing them in their vehicles, usually on a highway offramp, smashing in car windows with firearms and demanding money while wearing ski masks. According to the indictment, all of the victims were Asian.
Big Gane Hunters
Lopez and Gonzalez committed at least 15 robberies and attempted robberies from May to December 2023, stealing approximately $274,000 in cash, casino chips, designer bags, passports, and other property, according to court documents.
Prosecutors said they used California driver’s licenses in other names to enter cardrooms across Los Angeles County, including the Hustler Casino in Gardena, the Parkwest Bicycle Casino in Bell Gardens, and the Commerce Casino & Hotel in Commerce.
In one incident, on the evening of June 17, 2023, Lopez and Gonzalez and unnamed accomplices went to the Parkwest Bicycle Casino looking for a potential target.
While inside, Lopez noticed two patrons, identified in court documents as Z.G. and G.Y., cashing out a large amount of casino chips. Believing they would be carrying substantial cash, he alerted his associates by phone and kept them informed about the pair’s movements.
After Z.G. and G.Y. left the casino, several members of the group followed them. As the victims exited Interstate 710, the conspirators maneuvered their vehicles around them, boxing them in and forcing them to stop.
Once the victims’ car was stationary, two of the robbers approached with firearms drawn and ordered them to hand over “everything” they had. The group then seized approximately $130,000 in cash. After taking the money, the robbers fled the scene.
14-Year Setence Expected
In addition to accepting responsibility for the robberies, federal prosecutors said Lopez admitted to illegally possessing three firearms and 30 rounds of ammunition.
Lopez was prohibited from possessing a gun because of his criminal history, which includes a grand theft conviction in San Bernardino County.
Lopez and Gonzalez are scheduled to be sentenced in August. Under their plea agreements, prosecutors and the defendants have agreed to a proposed sentence of 14 years in federal prison, subject to approval by the court.
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