The county Board of Supervisors took action Tuesday allowing the payout of $80,000 in reward money to people who provided information that led to convictions in the killings of three people in East Los Angeles over a four-year period.
The reward was originally approved by the board in 2021 for information that led to convictions in the Feb. 11, 2014, killing of Jesse Avalos; the July 6, 2015, slaying of Eduardo Robles; and the April 22, 2018, killing of Amanda Nicole Lopez.
Shortly after a news conference was held in 2021 announcing the reward, an unspecified number of people “courageously came forward with critical information” that led to the arrests of a man and his father in connection with the killings, according to Supervisor Hilda Solis’ office.
One of the suspects — Anthony Velasquez, now 35 — was convicted of three counts of murder and sentenced last month to 150 years to life in prison. His father — Manuel Velasquez, now 55 — pleaded no contest in February to voluntary manslaughter in connection with one of the killings and was sentenced to 11 years and eight months in prison.
With both suspects convicted, people who provided information leading to their arrests became eligible to collect a portion of the reward money. According to a motion by Solis, however, the reward offer approved in 2021 had technically expired.
The board on Tuesday voted unanimously in favor of Solis’ motion reinstating the reward, clearing the way for it to be paid out. It was unclear how many people might be eligible for the funds.
“While East Los Angeles will continue to feel the profound losses of Jesus Antonio Avalos, Eduardo Robles, and Amanda Nicole Lopez, it is clear that this took a collective effort with our community and law enforcement working bravely together to ensure justice and closure for the families of the victims,” Solis said in a statement. “Today’s motion honors that commitment to justice.”
Sheriff’s homicide Detective Ray Lugo said in a statement that community members were initially “afraid to come forward” with information, but the reward offer “served as a reminder that it’s important to speak up when you see something.”
“The information we received after the reward offer was announced was critical to solving this case and ensuring the culprit does not go on to harm anyone else in our community,” Lugo said.
Avalos, 33, was found shot to death in the 4800 block of Telegraph Road, adjacent to the Santa Ana (5) Freeway and Bristow Park in Commerce. He had received a call from an acquaintance asking him to go to the location to jump-start a vehicle, and went there to help, sheriff’s officials said.
Avalos was found shot to death while seated in the driver’s seat of his SUV.
Robles, 38, was fatally shot in the driveway of a residence in the 4300 block of Eagle Street, near the Calvary Cemetery and Eastern Avenue, after having an argument with two men, according to sheriff’s officials and Solis’ office.
Lopez, 27, was shot to death by a masked assailant inside a tent near a homeless encampment in the 200 block of South Fetterly Avenue in front of Solis’ East Los Angeles field office. Lopez was mother to a then-4-year-old son, according to Solis’ office.
As pleased as I am to read this, I am not happy that there has been at least one murder within 4 blocks of my home in East LA every year for the 8 years I have lived here. Most of these murders occurred within 1/2 block of an illegal storefront cannabis dispensary. The sheriffs need to crack down on these dispensaries, which somehow remain in operation even when the murder happens right inside the dispensary.