Los Angeles
A Whittier man pleaded guilty on Thursday to orchestrating the armed robbery of a confidential federal informant and running an unlicensed firearms business, which included selling “ghost guns” (firearms without serial numbers), officials stated.
Salvador Lopez, 24, also known as “Chava,” admitted guilt to charges of armed robbery involving a dangerous weapon and dealing firearms without a license.
“Not only did this defendant illegally sell guns, putting dangerous weapons on the streets, but he also involved a minor in violent crime,” said U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada.
According to his plea agreement, Lopez conspired with co-defendants to sell firearms, personally selling guns, sharing photos of firearms for others to sell, and directing associates to make sales.
In total, he was involved in the sale of 15 firearms to undercover law enforcement. Neither Lopez nor his co-defendants had federal firearms licenses.
Lopez later agreed to sell firearms to a federal informant. Instead, he instructed a minor to rob the informant at gunpoint. The minor and his accomplices stole $5,000, the informant’s phone, and a vehicle.
Lopez then took a share of the stolen money.
As part of his plea, Lopez admitted to instructing the minor to use a gun during the robbery.
U.S. District Judge Percy Anderson has set his sentencing for Jan. 6.
Lopez faces up to 30 years in prison.
Another defendant, Ivan Quintos, 27, of Azusa, also pleaded guilty to firearms trafficking and faces up to 15 years at his Feb. 3 sentencing.
The two remaining defendants, Mark Perez, 22, and Zachary Dry, 23, both from Henderson, Nevada, are expected to plead guilty later this month.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Baldwin Park Police Department, and Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) led the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney William M. Larsen is prosecuting the case.