An Antelope Valley resident, Leandrew Raglin, 22, of Lancaster, was convicted by a federal jury for his role in the fatal shooting of a victim during a marijuana transaction in Inglewood in 2021. The verdict was delivered after an eight-day trial in Los Angeles.
Raglin was found guilty on charges including conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act), Hobbs Act robbery, and multiple firearm offenses connected to the crime. These included possessing, using, carrying, brandishing, and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence that resulted in death.
According to evidence presented at trial, Raglin conspired with Mateo Paul, 23, of Long Beach, and Iysis Elanore Smith, 22, of Inglewood. The group planned to rob a marijuana dealer by luring him through a social media application to a predetermined location where they intended to carry out the armed robbery.
On March 15, 2021, Smith approached the vehicle occupied by the victim as part of the plan. While Smith distracted the victim, Paul and Raglin arrived and parked behind the vehicle. Raglin then exited Paul's car and fired multiple shots into the passenger side of the victim's car before moving around to the driver's side and fatally shooting the person inside.
United States District Judge Fernando L. Aenlle-Rocha set sentencing for Raglin on March 13, 2026. Raglin has been held in federal custody since October 2023. He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years in federal prison and could receive up to life imprisonment.
Co-defendant Mateo Paul pleaded guilty earlier this year to interference with commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act) and brandishing and discharging a firearm during a violent crime. Paul has been detained since November 2023 and is scheduled for sentencing on September 26. Smith also pleaded guilty to felony robbery charges related to this case.
Both Paul and Smith face potential sentences of life imprisonment under federal law.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI along with the Inglewood Police Department.
Assistant United States Attorneys Chelsea Norell from the Major Crimes Section and Gregg Marmaro from the Major Frauds Section are prosecuting the case.
