Two Men Face Federal Robbery Charges, Targeted Casino Winners

Two South Gate, California, men are facing federal charges for allegedly committing a string of violent armed robberies involving casino-goers. Those accused include Juan Gabriel Gonzalez, 22, and Dereck Nathan Lopez, 21. 

They’re accused of stalking winners at local casinos, approaching them after they leave the premises, and robbing them at gunpoint. 

Thus far, a federal grand jury returned a 10-count indictment against both. They allegedly committed 15 robberies throughout Southern California. 

This comes after a case earlier this year in California in which the shooter at Tachi Palace Resort shot a woman, fled the scene, and later committed suicide. 

A Pattern of Targeting Casino Winners

According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the two men entered casinos under a false identity to then look for patrons who were cashing out large amounts of chips. 

The pair also had some unnamed co-conspirators, and together, the group would follow the people to their cars and ambush them on the highway with firearms. They’d also smash their windows, demand money or the chips, and flee the scene. 

Prosecutors laid out a timeline of one of the cases. 

In this case, Lopez was seen on surveillance footage high-fiving a woman after she won a bet. Then, less than an hour later, she was robbed at gunpoint, with $21k in cash stolen. 

Additionally, the pair stole about $130k in casino winnings from one victim. 

The pair also allegedly attempted or committed three separate robberies on the highway. 

Additional Charges and Penalties 

Not only is Lopez facing robbery-related charges. He's also facing a count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. He was convicted in November 2023 for grand theft auto. As a felon, he cannot be in possession of a firearm, but in December 2023, authorities found a firearm and 30 rounds of ammunition.

In November 2023, he was convicted of grand theft auto, so this charge left him with a felony, thus barring him from owning a firearm. 

If the duo is convicted on all charges, they face up to life in federal prison. 

Their cases are being prosecuted under the Operation Safe Cities, an initiative to curb violent crime by repeat offenders. 

Gonzalez appeared in court on Friday. Lopez is expected to appear in court in the coming weeks. He remains in state custody.