Mateo Paul Sentenced to 30 Years for Fatal Robbery
A federal judge ordered the Long Beach man to pay over $1.8 million following a 2021 marijuana robbery.
Updated on Sept. 18, 2026 in Financial Crime
Mateo Paul received a 30-year federal prison sentence for his role in a fatal 2021 marijuana robbery that occurred in Inglewood. The court also ordered Paul to pay $1,842,927 in restitution for the crime.
Why it matters
The sentencing follows the guilty plea of Mateo Paul in February 2025 for robbery and firearm charges stemming from the plot. The scheme involved luring a victim to a meeting location using a social media application.
Mateo Paul has been in custody since November 2023, while co-defendant Leandrew Raglin awaits sentencing on January 8, 2027. Raglin was previously found guilty of robbery and murder following an 8-day trial.
The players
Mateo Paul
He is a Long Beach resident who pleaded guilty to robbery and firearm charges related to a fatal 2021 incident.
Leandrew Raglin
He is a Lancaster resident found guilty of murder and robbery after a trial regarding the shooting death of a marijuana dealer.
Iysis Elanore Smith
She is a co-defendant who entered a guilty plea to felony robbery charges in connection with the case.
The details
The defendants lured the victim to a meeting site via a social media app with the intent to commit a robbery at gunpoint. During the encounter in March 2021, Leandrew Raglin shot the victim from both sides of the vehicle, resulting in a fatality.
Timeline
March 15, 2021: The victim was shot and killed during the robbery.
November 2023: Mateo Paul was taken into federal custody.
February 2025: Mateo Paul entered a formal guilty plea.
September 2025: A jury found Leandrew Raglin guilty of robbery and murder.
January 8, 2027: Leandrew Raglin is scheduled for sentencing.
Legal Context
The case highlights the increasing federal prosecution of violent crimes involving marijuana distribution networks in Southern California. It reflects a broader trend of leveraging federal firearm charges to secure longer prison terms for gang-related robberies.
This case underscores the inherent dangers associated with conducting illicit transactions arranged through social media platforms. Local residents are reminded that law enforcement continues to monitor digital spaces for criminal activity involving organized robbery rings.
The takeaway
The court's decision to impose a 30-year sentence and significant restitution serves as a stark reminder of the long-term legal consequences for participating in violent robberies. Readers should exercise extreme caution when meeting strangers for any transaction, especially those arranged via social media.
What happens next
Leandrew Raglin is scheduled to appear for his sentencing hearing on January 8, 2027, in a Los Angeles federal court.
Further reading
For more information on legal proceedings in the area, visit the Financial Crime section.
