LA Teens Admit To Working As Hitmen For The Sinaloa Cartel In Exchange For $50,000

Two Los Angeles teenagers have admitted that they worked as hitmen for the Sinaloa drug cartel.

The teenagers, 15-year-olds Andrew Nunez and Johncarlo Quintero, pled guilty to murder and attempted murder charges related to two shootings in March 2024 that left one dead and two injured, federal prosecutors said.

According to the plea agreement, the teenagers were expected to be paid $50,000 each by the notorious Mexican drug cartel.

"The disgraceful tactic of cartels, street gangs, and the Mexican Mafia using underage children for murderous acts to evade enhanced punishments will not be tolerated," said Mark Dargis, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI San Diego Field Office. "These violent crimes have no place in our communities and criminal gangs will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law."

Prosecutors said that on March 26, 2024, Quintero and Nunez drove to a Chili's restaurant in Chula Vista, where their target was with his family. When the target and his family left the restaurant, Quintero and Nunez pulled up behind them in the parking lot.

Prosecutors said that Quintero got out of the car and fired a single bullet that struck the man in the leg. After that single shot, Quintero's firearm jammed. Quintero got back in the car, and Nunez attempted to run the victim over but failed. They then fled the scene.

Later that night, the pair showed up at the victim's home with a third accomplice, 28-year-old Ricardo Sanchez, with the intent of finishing the job. Inside the home were the target's family and a family friend.

According to prosecutors, Sanchez knocked on the door of the home, and when the family friend opened the door, Quintero and Nunez shot him and proceeded to fire indiscriminately into the home. The family friend, although injured, was able to return fire, killing Sanchez. Quintero and Nunez then fled the scene.

Because Sanchez died, Quintero and Nunez were charged with provocative-act murder, which they both pled guilty to.

"This outcome is the result of outstanding and tireless work by our investigative team and close coordination with our regional and federal partners," said Chula Vista Police Chief Roxana Kennedy. "Together, we remain committed to holding violent criminals accountable for their actions."