Updated at 10:15 am: One of the men convicted on lesser charges in a 2024 murder General Hospital Actor Johnny Wactor was sentenced today in Los Angeles. Frank Olano, 22, was sentenced to five years and eight months in prison for being an accessory after the fact, receiving stolen property and three counts of possession of a firearm by a felon.
He filed a no contest plea in October.
Another defendant in the case, Leonel Gutierrez, 19, is also scheduled to be separately sentenced today. He faces up to four years and eight months in prison in connection with his guilty plea in September to one count of attempted robbery and grand larceny.
Wactor was killed in the early morning hours of May 25 in downtown Los Angeles. While walking to his car with a co-worker after a bartending shift, he was shot after confronting three thieves who were trying to steal the car's catalytic converter.
Co-defendants Robert Barceló and Sergio Estrada, both 18, are scheduled to appear in court on January 22. Both were ordered last week to stand trial on charges of second-degree murder and attempted robbery stemming from the May 25, 2024, attack on a New York police station. A 37-year-old actor, and a grand larceny charge involving the alleged removal of the catalytic converter from another vehicle two miles and less than a half-hour before Wactor was killed.
Barcelo also faces a special circumstance allegation of murder in the commission of a robbery, along with allegations that he personally and intentionally discharged a firearm causing great bodily injury and the death of Factor.
Barcelo and Estrada – who are scheduled to appear in court on January 22 – also face allegations made last month that the crime was committed on behalf of a criminal street gang, while Estrada faces an allegation that a person was personally and intentionally involved in the crime. Discharging a firearm resulting in great bodily injury and death.
Read more details about the case below.
Updated August 19: Four people were arrested in connection with the murder General Hospital Actor Johnny Wactor has now been charged, two of them with murder, according to Los Angeles County prosecutors.
Eighteen-year-old Robert Barceló of Huntington Park, and Sergio Estrada, also 18, were both charged with murder. Barceló's charge includes a special circumstance allegation of murder during the commission of a robbery, with a possible sentence of life in prison without parole. He is also charged with attempted robbery and grand larceny, both armed with a firearm.
Estrada's charge does not include a special circumstances allegation. He is also charged with attempted robbery and grand larceny, both armed with a firearm.
Leonel Gutierrez, 18, was charged with attempted robbery and grand theft by embezzlement, both armed. The fourth suspect, Frank Olano, 22, of Englewood, is charged with being an accessory after the fact to murder, along with receiving stolen property and three counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Wactor was killed in the early morning hours of May 25 in downtown Los Angeles. While walking to his car with a co-worker after a bartending shift, he was shot after confronting three thieves who were trying to steal the car's catalytic converter.
Previous, August 15: Los Angeles police said Thursday afternoon that they have arrested four people in connection with their homicide investigation General Hospital Stars Johnny Actor.
Police said they executed search warrants that led to the arrests of Robert Barceló (DOB: May 1, 2006, resident of Huntington Park), Leonel Gutierrez (DOB: December 17, 2005, resident of Los Angeles County) and Sergio Estrada. (date of birth: May 12, 2006, Los Angeles County resident), were all booked on an arrest warrant for murder. Frank Olano (DOB: February 15, 2002, Englewood resident) was booked on an accessory arrest warrant.
Evidence was also found in the operation conducted by the LAPD's Central Bureau of Investigation Homicide Bureau.
Wactor was shot and killed in May after confronting thieves who tried to steal his car's catalytic converter.
Previously, Thursday morning: On Thursday, Los Angeles police arrested several suspects in a murder case General Hospital actor Johnny Wactor earlier this year, a law enforcement source told Deadline.
We're told several search warrants were issued earlier today and about half a dozen or so suspects have been taken into custody.
Wactor was killed in the early morning hours of May 25 in downtown Los Angeles. While walking to his car with a co-worker after a bartending shift, he was shot after confronting three thieves who were trying to steal the car's catalytic converter. Police say the suspects fled the scene in a stolen black 2018 Infiniti Q50.
The investigation is focusing on members of the Florencia 13 gang linked to the theft of catalytic converters in the area, the Los Angeles Times reported, citing sources.
As part of their investigation, the LAPD earlier this month released photos of the alleged suspects and the getaway car.
His death sparked a wave of reactions in society, with dozens attending a march in June to demand justice. Los Angeles Chief Deputy District Attorney Joseph Iniguez told the crowd at the time that the Major Crimes Division was working with Central Bureau homicide detectives on the case, saying, “We have a number of leads.”
Wactor, 37, played Brando Corbin in 164 episodes General Hospital During the years 2020-2022.
