A Long Beach resident, Mateo Paul, 22, has admitted guilt in federal court for his involvement in a deadly armed robbery during a marijuana transaction in Inglewood. The incident occurred in March 2021 and resulted in the victim's death.
Paul entered a guilty plea to charges of interference with commerce by robbery under the Hobbs Act and brandishing and discharging a firearm during a violent crime. He has been detained since November 2023.
Acting United States Attorney Joseph T. McNally commented on the case: “This defendant’s recklessness led to a victim’s violent death and the prospect of a life sentence in federal prison.” He added that collaboration between local and federal law enforcement can result in significant penalties for violent gun crimes.
Court documents reveal that Paul, along with co-defendants Leandrew Raglin, 22, from Lancaster, and Iysis Elanore Smith, 22, from Inglewood, conspired to rob a marijuana dealer at gunpoint. They used social media to lure the dealer to an ambush site.
On March 15, 2021, Smith engaged with the victim while Paul and Raglin positioned their vehicle behind the victim's car. Raglin exited Paul's vehicle and fired shots into the passenger side before moving around to fatally shoot the driver.
The plea agreement indicates that Raglin's actions were within the scope of Paul's criminal conspiracy and were foreseeable outcomes of their unlawful plan.
United States District Judge Fernando L. Aenlle-Rocha has set Paul's sentencing for June 27. He could face up to life imprisonment.
Raglin maintains his innocence and is scheduled for trial on May 19. Charges against Smith are pending; both face potential life sentences if convicted.
It is important to note that indictments are accusations only; defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt in court.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI and Inglewood Police Department. The prosecution team includes Assistant United States Attorneys Chelsea Norell from the Violent and Organized Crimes Section and Gregg E. Marmaro from the International Narcotics, Money Laundering, and Racketeering Section.