Two Los Angeles teens pleaded guilty to federal charges for cartel-linked shootings, recruited to avoid adult prosecution and paid $50K each.

Two 15-year-old Los Angeles teens pleaded guilty to federal charges for carrying out two attacks in March 2024 on behalf of the Sinaloa Cartel and the Westside Wilmas gang, which is linked to the Mexican Mafia. They shot a man in a Chula Vista Chili’s parking lot and later returned to his home, opening fire and causing the death of their older accomplice in self-defense. Prosecutors said the teens were recruited for their age to avoid adult prosecution under California law and were promised $50,000 each. Their actions led to a “provocative-act murder” charge. The case underscores the use of minors by criminal organizations to evade harsher penalties.