Crew targeted lookout points; each defendant faces life in prison
June 3, 2026 – LOS ANGELES – Five gang members were convicted on Tuesday for two 
robberies at local lookout points that occurred less than 48 hours apart, leaving three people dead.
“The victims in this case were simply enjoying some of the most scenic views that Los Angeles County has to offer, hoping to have a peaceful moment with the people they cared about,” said Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman. “Little did they know that they were being targeted by gang members looking to rob them – and kill them if necessary – to steal whatever they could find. These were vicious and callous acts, and these guilty verdicts hold those responsible for the brutal crimes they committed.”
A jury deliberated for just over a day before finding Marco Antonio Hernandez (21) guilty of three counts of first-degree murder, two counts each of second-degree robbery and attempted second-degree robbery and one count of conspiracy to commit a robbery.
Luis Ventura (27) and Abraham Alvarenga Cortez (23) were each found guilty of one count of first-degree murder, two counts of second-degree robbery and one count of conspiracy to commit a robbery.
Rossel Jose Hernandez-Ponce (24) and Wendy Sarai Cerritos (23) were convicted of two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of attempted second-degree robbery and one count of conspiracy to commit a robbery.
Special circumstance allegations also were found to be true. Ventura faces 25 years to life in state prison, while the other four defendants face life in prison without the possibility of parole. They are scheduled to be sentenced on June 18.
On July 22, 2023, at about 3:30 a.m., Hernandez, Ventura and Cortez drove to the Angeles Crest National Forest and came upon Jessie Enrique Munoz, 32, and a friend sitting in a vehicle. The victims were held at gunpoint and robbed. When Munoz refused to turn over his car keys and put his vehicle in reverse, Cortez opened fire, killing Munoz whose friend was not injured.
Two days later, at approximately 2:00 a.m., Cerritos, Hernandez-Ponce and Hernandez drove to a parking lot outside the Terreanea Resort in Rancho Palos Verdes where Jorge Ramos, 36, and Taylorraven Whittaker, 26, were sitting in their vehicle.
The defendants approached the victims’ car armed with handguns. When the victims refused to hand over their valuables, Hernandez and Hernandez-Ponce fatally shot Ramos and Whittaker.
Case BA516784 was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Hilary Williams of the Major Crimes Division and Carmelia Mejia of the Murder Resentencing Unit. The case was investigated by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and the Pasadena Police Department.
Source: Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office
