South L.A. Man Arrested on Federal Grand Jury Indictment Alleging Series of Armed Carjackings in L.A. County Last Year

LOS ANGELES - A South Los Angeles man was arrested today on a nine-count indictment alleging he and three other men carried out a series of armed carjackings in Los Angeles County during a three-week crime spree late last year that resulted in the theft of five vehicles and two large-screen televisions.

Sergio Macias, 22, a.k.a. "Checho," of South Los Angeles, surrendered to federal law enforcement this morning. His arraignment is scheduled for this afternoon in United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles.

Macias is the fourth defendant arrested in this case. Also charged and previously arrested are:

• Michael Anthony Fisher, 23, a.k.a. "Ghost," of Bell;
• Andres Silva Cerrillos, 19, a.k.a. "Ruler," of Buena Park; and
• Jesse Gutierrez, 19, a.k.a. "Lotto," of Los Angeles.

All four defendants are charged with one count of conspiracy to commit carjacking and are charged with various counts of carjacking, attempted carjacking, interference with commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act), and firearms offenses.

"Violent gun crime tears at the fabric of our community and leaves victims with lasting trauma," said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. "These arrests and this indictment highlight my office's determination to use our powerful federal laws to punish those who callously risk the lives of others."

According to the indictment that a grand jury returned earlier this month, from November 15 to December 9, 2023, the defendant went on a crime spree, mostly carjacking - or attempting to carjack - car owners at gunpoint in Downey, Pico Rivera, Norwalk, and Whittier.

On November 15, 2023, Cerrillos and Gutierrez allegedly stole two large-screen televisions from a Walmart store in South Gate. They also allegedly threatened a store employee with violence as they were fleeing.

An indictment contains allegations that a defendant committed a crime. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

If convicted, the defendants would face a mandatory minimum of seven years in federal prison and a statutory maximum sentence of 25 years in federal prison.

Operation Safe Cities establishes strategic enforcement priorities with an emphasis on prosecuting the most significant drivers of violent crime. Across this region, the most damaging and horrific crimes are committed by a relatively small number of particularly violent individuals. This strategic enforcement approach is expected to increase the number of arrests, prosecutions and convictions of recidivists engaged in the most dangerous conduct. It is designed to improve public safety across the region by targeting crimes involving illicit guns, prohibited persons possessing firearms, or robbery crews that cause havoc and extensive losses to retail establishments.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Downey Police Department are investigating this matter.

Assistant United States Attorney Colin S. Scott of the Terrorism and Export Crimes Section is prosecuting this case.

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