Christian Lugo, also known as “Coco,” was sentenced to 19 years in prison for his role in leading a racketeering conspiracy involving a tow truck and auto repair business in the Bronx. The United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, announced the sentencing, which followed Lugo’s guilty plea to racketeering conspiracy and firearms offenses. Lugo admitted to encouraging a co-conspirator to shoot at members of a rival tow truck company on February 7, 2022, resulting in the death of Gloria Ortiz.
“As Christian Lugo has now admitted, his rivalry with other tow truck companies set in motion a deadly chain of events, which caused a broad daylight shooting, killing Gloria Ortiz,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “Lugo used a gun to further his tow truck business, itself part of a criminal enterprise. His actions led to the murder of a woman. He is now where New Yorkers want him—off the streets and in prison.”
Court documents state that Lugo and others used Certified Auto, their towing and auto repair shop, to commit wire, mail, and insurance fraud while using violence and threats to control the local industry. The conflict escalated when one of Lugo’s drivers was involved in an accident within territory claimed by Ortiz’s shop. This led to an altercation over towing rights.
During the confrontation that followed, Lugo allowed another subordinate from Certified Auto—referred to as CC-1—to use violence against rivals. According to statements made during court proceedings, Lugo told CC-1 “are you going to take care of it or am I?” CC-1 responded that he would handle it. CC-1 then went to Certified Auto where Ortiz and her workers were present and opened fire. The shooting resulted in Ortiz’s death and injuries to two others.
In addition to his prison sentence, Lugo received six years of supervised release.
Jay Clayton acknowledged the efforts of FBI New York Safe Streets Task Force agents and officers from the New York City Police Department for their work on this case. He also thanked the Bronx County District Attorney’s Office for its assistance.
The prosecution was managed by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael R. Herman, Ni Qian, and Andrew Jones from the Violent Organizations and Crime Unit.
