Federal officials have arrested five individuals in the San Fernando Valley in connection with an alleged plot to kill an Armenian organized crime leader. The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced on Tuesday that the suspects are linked to the Vanowen Street Locos and Elmwood Rifa 13 gangs.
According to the DOJ, the plot was part of a power struggle within Armenian Organized Crime, a transnational criminal organization with ties to the Russian and Mexican mafias. The conflict involved two local leaders, Ara Artuni, 41, of Porter Ranch, and Robert Amiyan, 47, of Hollywood, both of whom are currently in federal custody. The struggle has reportedly resulted in multiple assaults, murder attempts, and a kidnapping.
The arrested individuals are accused of using interstate commerce facilities in the commission of murder-for-hire, specifically targeting Amiyan. During the arrest, authorities seized five firearms, a silencer, firearm parts, and over 1,000 rounds of ammunition. If convicted, the suspects face up to 20 years in federal prison.
A fifth suspect, Jose de Jesus Gonzalez Jr., 49, known as “Listo,” was arrested separately in connection with the 2023 shooting of Vahan Harutyunyan. Gonzalez faces charges of conspiracy to violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO).
The case is being investigated by the Los Angeles Police Department’s Major Crimes Division, Homeland Security Investigations, and IRS Criminal Investigation. Trials for the involved leaders are set for December and August 2026.
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