Federal Court Sentences Teen Gunmen To 25 Years For Cartel Arranged Murders In Chula Vista

Federal court sentences two teens to 25 years for Sinaloa Cartel murder attempts in Chula Vista. Youth hitmen recruited for $50,000 per hit.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 16, 2026, 11:14 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from ABC 10 News San Diego

The Severity Of Federal Sentences For Juvenile Hitmen

A federal judge in San Diego has ordered 16,year,old Andrew Nunez and 17,year,old Johncarlo Quintero to serve 25 years in prison for their roles in a violent cartel operation. The teenagers, who were only 15 at the time of the offenses in March 2024, pleaded guilty to attempted murder and murder charges. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the defendants will remain in juvenile facilities until the age of 21 before being transferred to adult federal prisons to complete their terms. This sentencing highlights a significant federal effort to prosecute gang violence that transcends state jurisdictional boundaries.

Recruitment Tactics And Financial Incentives Of The Sinaloa Cartel

The investigation revealed that the Sinaloa Cartel and its associates specifically sought out Nunez and Quintero because they believed the youths would avoid adult prosecution under state law. The teenagers traveled from Wilmington to San Diego under the impression they would receive $50,000 each for executing specific "hits" ordered by the cartel. Prosecutors stated that these violent acts were part of a broader retaliatory war in Tijuana involving stolen drug shipments. By utilizing young recruits, the cartel sought to maintain its operational capacity while minimizing the legal risks to its senior associates.

Detailed Account Of The Chula Vista Ambush

The violence began at a local Chili’s restaurant where the defendants targeted a man dining with his family. As the victims exited the establishment, Quintero opened fire, striking the target in the legs before his weapon jammed. Evidence presented in court showed that Nunez then attempted to run over the victim with their vehicle as they fled the scene. The U.S. Attorney’s Office detailed how the cartel had previously attempted to assassinate this specific individual in Tijuana, eventually tracking him across the border to San Diego to continue their lethal campaign.