Louis Matthews, a 35-year-old Las Vegas man, has been sentenced to life in prison for his role in the brutal murder of a 37-year-old man during a marijuana deal gone wrong in 2013.

On November 30, 2013, Matthews and John Thomas III arrived at an apartment on East Cheyenne Avenue in North Las Vegas to purchase 20 pounds of marijuana from the victim, Luciano Madrigal-Herrera. However, the deal turned deadly when Matthews and Thomas attempted to rob Madrigal-Herrera of the marijuana, producing handguns and repeatedly shooting the victim.

The victim, Madrigal-Herrera, was killed during the attempted robbery, and the defendants took the marijuana and attempted to flee. Julio Nunez, who was also present at the apartment, shot at Matthews and Thomas with a sawed-off shotgun in an attempt to prevent them from escaping with the marijuana.

Matthews was charged after an investigation led to his identity as the second suspect. Thomas was apprehended later that night by the North Las Vegas Police Department after officers discovered his gunshot-riddled vehicle parked in front of the apartment where the murder took place.

Matthews was convicted by a jury on October 12, 2016, of one count of conspiracy to possess marijuana with intent to distribute and one count of using a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime resulting in death. He was sentenced to life in prison, plus 10 additional years, and five years of supervised release.

Co-defendants John Thomas III and Julio Nunez have also been charged in the scheme. Thomas pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess marijuana with intent to distribute and using a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime resulting in death, and is awaiting sentencing. Nunez pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess marijuana with intent to distribute and one count of discharging a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime, and was sentenced to 42 months in prison and five years of supervised release.

The case was investigated by the ATF, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, and North Las Vegas Police Department. U.S. Attorney Daniel G. Bogden and ATF Special Agent in Charge Jill Snyder praised the hard work and dedication of law enforcement partners in bringing the case to justice.