Jay Clayton, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York | Department of Justice
Christian Lugo, also known as “Coco,” was sentenced to 19 years in prison for his role in a racketeering conspiracy that led to the death of Gloria Ortiz. The sentencing was announced by Jay Clayton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York.
Lugo led Certified Auto, a tow truck and auto repair company in the Bronx, New York. Prosecutors said he and others used fraud and violent intimidation to control their business operations. According to court documents, Lugo and his co-conspirators committed wire, mail, and insurance fraud while seeking dominance over the local towing industry.
On February 7, 2022, an altercation occurred after one of Lugo’s drivers got into a minor accident with a vehicle in territory claimed by Ortiz’s rival tow truck shop. A dispute broke out between workers from both companies over who would tow the car. Lugo then called another member of Certified Auto, identified as CC-1, to pick up his driver. Later that day, during a meeting with CC-1 and others, Lugo asked CC-1 if he would "take care of it or am I?" CC-1 responded that he would handle it.
CC-1 later drove to Certified Auto where Ortiz and her employees had gathered. He opened fire on the group outside the shop, resulting in Ortiz’s death and nonfatal injuries to two other people.
Lugo pleaded guilty in August 2025 to racketeering conspiracy and firearms offenses before U.S. District Judge Dale E. Ho.
“As Christian Lugo has now admitted, his rivalry with other tow truck companies set in motion a deadly chain of events, which caused a broad daylight shooting, killing Gloria Ortiz,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “Lugo used a gun to further his tow truck business, itself part of a criminal enterprise. His actions led to the murder of a woman. He is now where New Yorkers want him—off the streets and in prison.”
In addition to his prison sentence, Lugo received six years of supervised release.
Jay Clayton commended Special Agents from the FBI New York Safe Streets Task Force and the New York City Police Department for their work on this case. He also thanked the Bronx County District Attorney’s Office for its assistance.
The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael R. Herman, Ni Qian, and Andrew Jones from the Violent Organizations and Crime Unit.
