Hard Rock Casino Rockford patrons Dianne Parvin and Tom Tendall were the first to play the casino's high roller million dollar Dragon Link progressive jackpot slot machine with a minimum bet of $25 per spin Thursday, May 22, 2025.
Los Angeles, California – Two men from South Gate have been indicted on federal charges for allegedly carrying out a string of more than 15 violent armed robberies, targeting individuals leaving casinos with large gambling winnings, federal prosecutors announced Thursday.
Juan Gabriel Gonzalez, 22, was arrested and appeared in federal court the same day. His alleged co-conspirator, Dereck Nathan Lopez, 21, is already in state custody and is expected to be arraigned on the federal charges in the coming weeks.
According to the unsealed 10-count indictment, Gonzalez and Lopez face multiple counts of Hobbs Act robbery and attempted robbery, one count of Hobbs Act conspiracy, and several counts of using a firearm during a violent crime. Lopez also faces an additional charge of being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition.
Prosecutors allege the defendants entered Southern California casinos under false names to scout potential victims who appeared to have won large sums. After identifying targets, Lopez, Gonzalez, and other unnamed co-conspirators allegedly followed them onto local highways, used vehicles to block them in, smashed their windows, brandished firearms, and stole either cash or casino chips.
One of the more brazen robberies occurred shortly after Lopez was seen on casino surveillance high-fiving a woman celebrating a win. Within an hour, his co-conspirators allegedly ambushed her vehicle and stole $21,000 in cash.
In another incident, the group allegedly stole at least $130,000 from a different casino winner.
The robbery spree occurred across Los Angeles and surrounding counties and often involved coordinated attacks. On one night, prosecutors said, the group attempted or committed three separate robberies.
Lopez’s firearm charge stems from a December 2023 raid at his residence, where law enforcement found three guns and over 30 rounds of ammunition. He was prohibited from possessing firearms due to a prior felony conviction for grand theft, handed down in November 2023.
If convicted on all charges, both men could face a maximum sentence of life in federal prison.
The case is part of Operation Safe Cities, a federal initiative targeting the most violent offenders and organized crime groups in an effort to reduce gun violence and improve public safety.
The investigation is being led by the FBI in coordination with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, LAPD, California Highway Patrol, Montebello Police, and other agencies.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin J. Butler and Jena A. MacCabe of the Violent and Organized Crime Section are prosecuting the case.
