Nearly five years after Hernando County investigators alleged a fellow Latin Kings gang member was beaten to death during a gang-related “beat down,” the lone defendant who chose to take his case to trial may ultimately fare far better than four co-defendants who accepted plea agreements and were sentenced to 30 years in prison. On June 16, 2026, a Hernando County jury acquitted Roberto Garcia of the murder charge.
The case dates back to January 15, 2021, when Hernando County investigators said a fellow Latin Kings gang member was beaten to death during a gang-related “beat down” in Brooksville, Florida. According to investigators, the victim was 22-year-old Alexis “Lexi” Gonzalez, a Latin Kings gang member. Four co-defendants, Juan Martinez, Luis Martinez, Jose Rodriguez, and Michael Sanchez, accepted plea agreements and were sentenced to 30 years in prison.
The investigation was led by the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. The case was prosecuted by the Hernando County State Attorney’s Office.
For more information on this case, visit the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office website or the Florida Department of Law Enforcement website.
Originally reported by R News
Sources: R News
