As we all know, on Aug. 15th, 2024, four individuals were arrested in the murder of GH Alum, Johnny Wactor that happened on May 25th, 2024.
After a shift at a local bar, Wactor and his co-worker, Anita Joy, were walking to his car when they noticed people standing around it.
Even though Wactor did not attempt to engage these people whatsoever, they turned and shot him in the chest for no reason. Wactor, unfortunately died on the scene while waiting for help to arrive as his co-worker held him.
After issuing a community-wide BOLO, police managed to nab the four individuals responsible for Wactor’s murder on Thursday, Aug. 15th and made the subsequent announcement on the following Monday.
Joy has since told TMZ that this news fills her with a sense of joy and relief, for not only her, but for the family of Wactor as well.
They will be tried as adults
Three of the suspects arrested were only 18 years old, which could mean that they were underage when the crime happened.
Joy was afraid of this, because at the time she didn’t know how old they were but it seems in the eyes of the law these people will all be tried as adults now that they have been arrested.
Robert Barceleau and Sergio Estrada are the two charged with pulling the trigger and they are both 18. Leonel Guiterierrez, 18 and Frank Olano, 22,were booked on lesser charges. All the individuals in question are connected with the Florencia 13 gang.
Murder is not the only crime they are connected to, the three 18 year olds were also charged with one count of attempted robbery with a personal use of a firearm, as well as a count of grand theft with an allegation of a principal armed with a firearm.
So far, this is the only charge for Gutierrez, who is now facing four years and eight months in prison.
The charges as they stand
Robert Barceleau could be looking at murder with special circumstances and is now facing the possibility of life in prison without parole.
Sergio Estrada is also facing the possibility of life without parole, only without special circumstances. Frank Olano was charged as an accessory after the fact to murder and was also charged with one count of receiving stolen property and three counts of being a felon with a firearm.
He could face five years and eight months in prison. Barceleau is currently being held without bail because of his connection to the murder of Johnny Wactor, Sergio Estrada’s bail is at at $2 million, and Olano’s bail is set at $1 million. Currently, Guiterierrez’s nail is set at $120,000.
Karma and Justice worked together this time
This couldn’t come at a better time for the family of Johnny Wactor, considering his birthday is coming up on Aug. 31st, 2024.
Anita Joy is happy that the suspects will be facing the fullest extent of the law because when the incident initially occurred she was afraid that wouldn’t happen, however, It seems that Karma and Justice worked together on this one.
Everyone is relieved to finally have progress in this case, we will keep you abreast if updates as they happen.Stay tuned!!!