PICO RIVERA — A judge sentenced a Pico Rivera man to 20 years in prison Wednesday for serving as the getaway driver in a 2004 gang killing, which the proud gunman commemorated by tattooing the crime scene on his chest.
Norwalk Superior Judge Thomas McKnew handed down the sentence to Robert Armijo for his role in the Jan. 23, 2004 slaying of 23-year-old John Juarez, court officials said. Armijo had pleaded guilty to assault with a deadly weapon and voluntary manslaughter.
Juarez was shot and killed in front of Mr. Ed’s Liquor, 6616 Rosemead Blvd., officials said.
After the men asked Juarez where he was from — a common gang challenge — Anthony Garcia, 25, of Pico Rivera, shot him several times.
Armijo and Garcia were members of the Rivera 13 street gang, while Juarez belonged to the rival gang, Pico Nuevo.
Garcia’s tattoo depicts a helicopter shooting a “Mr. Peanut” character in front of the liquor store. Investigators said Garcia’s gang moniker is “Chopper,” and Rivera 13 members refer to Pico Nuevo members as “peanuts.”
Juarez killing remained a mystery until 2008, when Sgt. Kevin Lloyd of the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau looked through a book of gang member tattoos and recognized Garcia’s unusual tattoo as depicting the 2004 shooting.
Garcia was convicted of murder and sentenced in May to 65 years to life in prison.