teen hitmen hired by Mexican cartel to rub out rival in Chili’s murder plot learn their fate
Two Los Angeles teenagers who carried out a failed assassination attempt for the Sinaloa Cartel in Southern California have been sentenced to 25 years in prison.
Andrew “Shooter” Nunez, now 16, and Johncarlo “Dumper” Quintero, 17, received their sentences Friday after admitting to attempted murder and their role in the death of another gang member during the incident.
Authorities say the pair were only 15 years old when they tried to kill a rival in March 2024. According to federal prosecutors in California’s Southern District, the teenagers expected to receive $50,000 each if the hit was successful.
The plan first unfolded at a Chili’s restaurant in Chula Vista near San Diego. Acting on behalf of the Sinaloa Cartel, the teens drove from Los Angeles to the restaurant and waited for the target to leave with his family. As the man exited, Quintero fired a shot that struck him in the leg, but the gun malfunctioned before more rounds could be fired. The wounded man managed to escape as the teens attempted, unsuccessfully, to run him down with their vehicle.
The next attempt came hours later. Early the following morning, the teenagers returned to the victim’s residence with a 28-year-old accomplice, Ricardo Sanchez. Their intended target was not at home. After Sanchez knocked on the door, the teens opened fire on the house, where two relatives of the target and one of his friends were inside.
The friend inside the home returned fire after being wounded in the hand, arm, and face. His gunfire killed Sanchez during the exchange. Nunez and Quintero fled the scene.
Both teenagers pleaded guilty in December to murder and attempted murder charges and acknowledged they had been hired as hitmen. They also admitted they were aware they could not be prosecuted as adults under California law and that this played a role in their recruitment.
U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon said a California Senate bill had made it extremely difficult for the state to prosecute 14- and 15-year-olds as adults, a situation criminal organizations have taken advantage of by recruiting younger participants.
Gordon said the outcome of the case demonstrates that juveniles can still face serious federal consequences when working for organized crime.
He also condemned the involvement of the Sinaloa Cartel and the Mexican Mafia in directing violent acts in the San Diego area, saying the case shows there will be accountability for those who carry out such attacks.
In addition to the two teenagers, three alleged Sinaloa Cartel associates accused of helping plan the assassination have been indicted. They were scheduled to appear in court on Friday.
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