Man Charged with Lesser Crimes in Johnny Wactor Killing Gets 5-Year, 8-Month Sentence

Sentencing Hearing

One of two men charged with lesser crimes in connection with last year’s downtown Los Angeles killing of former “General Hospital” actor Johnny Wactor was sentenced Wednesday to more than five years in prison.

Frank Olano, 22, was sentenced to five years and eight months behind bars in a downtown L.A. courtroom as a result of his no contest plea last October to one count each of being an accessory after the fact and receiving stolen property, and three counts of possession of a firearm by a felon, according to court records.

Court Proceedings

Leonel Gutierrez, now 19, could face up to four years and eight months in state prison in connection with his guilty plea last September to one count each of attempted robbery and grand theft. Gutierrez was expected to be sentenced Wednesday afternoon.

Co-defendants Robert Isaiah Barceleau and Sergio Estrada, both 18, were ordered last week to stand trial on one count each of murder and attempted second-degree robbery stemming from the May 25, 2024, attack on the 37-year-old actor, and one count of grand theft involving the alleged removal of a catalytic converter from another vehicle within two miles and less than a half-hour before Wactor’s killing.

Allegations and Testimony

Barceleau is also facing a special circumstance allegation of murder during the commission of a robbery, along with allegations that he personally and intentionally discharged a firearm causing great bodily injury and death to Wactor.

Barceleau and Estrada — who are due back in court Jan. 22 — are also facing allegations filed last month that the crime was committed for the benefit of a criminal street gang, while Estrada is facing an allegation that someone involved in the crime personally and intentionally discharged a firearm causing great bodily injury and death.

During a hearing earlier this month, Los Angeles Police Department Detective Justin Howarth testified that Barceleau said during a conversation with an undercover jailhouse operative shortly after being arrested last August 15 that he had “shot Wactor once.”

Barceleau told the undercover operative that he had fired because Wactor was “going after the homie,” referring to an alleged accomplice, the detective said.

In a separate jailhouse sting, Estrada told an undercover jailhouse operative that he yelled “No” when he saw Barceleau pull out a gun, Howarth testified.

Estrada described Barceleau as being “hot-headed” and said he didn’t want to go with him that night, according to the detective. Estrada also told the undercover operative that Wactor had “rushed” him and that he wasn’t concerned about a female witness being able to identify him because they were wearing masks, the detective said.

Physical Evidence

Both men were photographed — with Barceleau holding a semi-automatic weapon and Estrada holding a stack of cash — about five hours after the killing, Howarth testified.

Meanwhile, Olano said during a separate jailhouse investigation last August that he had obtained six catalytic converters from the suspects on the day Wactor was killed, according to Howarth.

At last week’s hearing, a forensic print specialist from the LAPD testified that fingerprints found on a floor jack that had been used in the effort to steal Wactor’s catalytic converter and left at the scene were matched to Barceleau, Estrada, and Gutierrez.

Consequence of the Crime

Wactor was shot shortly before 3:30 a.m. last May 25 while walking with a co-worker toward his parked car after finishing his bartending shift at the Level 8 bar/restaurant.

Wactor’s slaying occurred less than two miles away from a location where video cameras monitored by USC’s Department of Public Safety captured what authorities believe was three men involved in the theft of a catalytic converter from a Honda Accord about 22 minutes before the victim’s co-worker called 911 about the shooting, according to testimony presented during the hearing last week.

Conclusion

The tragic loss of Johnny Wactor’s life has left his family and friends with a sense of sorrow and justice has been served with the sentencing of Olano to five years and eight months in prison. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding Wactor’s death continues, with the perpetrators of his murder still facing trial.

FAQs

* What was Johnny Wactor’s occupation?
+ He was an actor, best known for his role in the soap opera “General Hospital”.
* How long did Wactor serve in the army?
+ He did not serve in the army. He was an actor.
* What was the motive behind Wactor’s killing?
+ The motive behind Wactor’s killing is still unclear, but it is believed to be related to the theft of a catalytic converter from his car.
* How many people were involved in Wactor’s death?
+ At least three people are believed to have been involved in Wactor’s death, although the exact number of perpetrators is still unclear.