January 1, Cartel Tried Using Teen Hitmen in Failed Plot

Wyatt’s Take

• Alleged Sinaloa Cartel members face federal charges for hiring teens in a violent plot gone wrong.
• Court documents reveal chilling details of how the young hitmen stalked and tried to kill a target for cartel revenge.
• Federal agents say this shows ongoing cartel threats within American communities.

Three alleged Sinaloa Cartel associates have been charged in a twisted plot that had two 15-year-old boys acting as hitmen in a failed assassination attempt in Chula Vista, California. The grand jury indictment covers several serious charges, including conspiracy to commit murder and using interstate facilities in a murder-for-hire scheme.

Poly Antunez, Antonio Quinones, and Jovanny Enriquez are accused of carefully planning the violent act. Authorities say they organized lodging for the teen hitmen, Andrew Nunez and Johncarlo Quintero, and helped them stalk the target and his family around suburban San Diego.

Antunez was already in custody for another crime, while Quinones and Enriquez were arrested this week and appeared in federal court. The charges could cost them 80 years of their lives.

“You want cowardice. I give you the Sinaloa Cartel hiring teenagers to do their dirty work,” said U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon.

The plot stemmed from a cartel feud in Tijuana after rival gang members reportedly stole a large drug shipment. As the violence spilled over the border, the cartel hunted the targeted man who fled to the United States, leading to two failed murder attempts in March 2024.

According to the FBI, cartel members used their ties to the Mexican Mafia and Westside Wilmas gang to recruit the teens, knowing California wouldn’t try minors as adults in state court. Text messages show gang members debating the risks, with warnings like “Be safe guys. I don’t wanna lose my friends. I need u guys.” One responded, “We all getting new cars new chains new toys.”

Despite their age, the two teens pleaded guilty in federal court to being hired shooters for the cartel after both murder attempts failed, including one at a family dinner at a local restaurant.

“Today’s indictment against violent Sinaloa Cartel associates for directing teenagers to be their personal hitmen is one step closer to obtaining the final justice in this case,” said TJ Holland, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI San Diego Field Office.

Federal and local law enforcement say they are committed to dismantling these dangerous groups threatening Americans’ safety. The chilling actions detailed in this case are a reminder that criminal violence has no borders.

Let’s keep our neighborhoods safe by demanding real justice and strong borders.

Wyatt Matters

This story highlights how organized crime seeps into ordinary American communities, putting families at risk. Middle America stands for law, order, and protecting kids—not letting criminal groups use our neighborhoods for their violence.

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