LOS ANGELES
Three members of a South Los Angeles street gang each were sentenced today to decades in prison for their roles in the robbery and fatal shooting in 2022 of Los Angeles Police Officer Fernando Arroyos.
In separate hearings Friday, U.S. District Judge Percy Anderson sentenced Luis Alfredo de la Rosa Rios, 30, a.k.a. “Lil J” and “Lil Malo,” to 50 years in federal prison and ordered him to pay $31,204.07 in restitution.
Judge Anderson also sentenced Ernesto Cisneros, 25, a.k.a. “Gonzo” and “Spooky,” to 50 years in federal prison and ordered him to pay $28,604.07 in restitution.
Finally, Jesse Contreras, 36, a.k.a. “Skinny Jack” and “Flaco,” was sentenced to 35 years in federal prison and ordered him to pay $31,204.07 in restitution.
At Friday’s hearing, Judge Anderson said, “The senseless loss of life is all too frequent in our community. It is literally ripping apart the fabric of our society. The sentence imposed today must send a message, not only to this defendant but to everyone, that if you choose to endanger our community by murdering, robbing, and trafficking in narcotics, there will be significant consequences.”
Rios, Contreras, and Cisneros—all members of the South Los Angeles-based Florencia 13 (F13) street gang—pleaded guilty in July 2023 to one count of conspiracy to violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act.
“Gangs bring death and destruction, most often upon the very communities they claim to represent,” said U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada. “These defendants coldly and callously murdered an innocent man who grew up in our community and returned home to give back to the city he loved. I hope the major sentences we announce today bring some degree of solace to Officer Arroyos’ family, friends, and colleagues. My office will continue to collaborate with our law enforcement partners to aggressively investigate and prosecute gang violence.”
“Fernando Arroyos should be with us today, helping to protect a city he was ready and willing to give his life for. Yet he died in a way none of us could have imagined” said Akil Davis, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI Los Angeles Field Office. “With Officer Arroyos’ senseless killing, we lost a protector, and most importantly, his family lost someone who meant the whole world to them. The sentences handed down today are just and reinforce our commitment to ensuring public safety and holding those who terrorize our communities accountable.”
“Gang violence tears at the very fabric of our communities, causing immeasurable harm and suffering,” said Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna. “Today’s sentencing sends a clear message that acts of violence, especially against our dedicated law enforcement officers, will be met with the full force of justice. Officer Arroyos had a promising life ahead of him and chose to serve the community where he was raised, and we will forever remember his commitment and sacrifice. We are grateful for our local and federal partners’ collaborative efforts in bringing these brazen criminals to justice and preventing them from preying on others in our communities.”
On the night of January 10, 2022, the defendants were driving in Rios’ truck around F13’s “territory” in the Florence-Firestone area of South Los Angeles, looking for people to rob. They targeted Officer Arroyos because he was wearing gold chains.
In court documents, “A.M.” is the name of Arroyos’ girlfriend. Contreras handed Rios a loaded gun. At the same time, Cisneros, who was also in the truck, already possessed a loaded gun.
Both Rios and Cisneros, now armed, exited the vehicle.
Cisneros approached the off-duty officer, patted him down, and took his chains and wallet, which contained Arroyos’ LAPD identification card. Meanwhile, Rios patted down A.M. and stole her belongings.
After robbing Arroyos, Rios and Cisneros opened fire. A single bullet struck Arroyos, which was fatal.
Earlier that day, Rios and Contreras committed armed robberies against two victims outside a bar within F13’s “territory” in the Florence-Firestone area.
Haylee Marie Grisham, 21, an F13 associate and Rios’ girlfriend, pleaded guilty in April 2023 to one count of violent crime in aid of racketeering for her role in the fatal robbery of Arroyos. Her sentencing hearing is scheduled for September 9, where she faces a statutory maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
The FBI and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department investigated this matter, and the Los Angeles Police Department provided substantial assistance.
Assistant United States Attorney Kathy Yu, Chief of Ethics and Post-Conviction Review, and Christopher C. Kendall of the International Narcotics, Money Laundering, and Racketeering Section are prosecuting this case.