Two men involved in crimes connected to the killing of former “General Hospital” actor Johnny Wactor have been sentenced to prison. Leonel Gutierrez, 19, was handed a four-year sentence after pleading no contest to grand theft and attempted robbery. Frank Olano, 22, received five years and eight months in prison after pleading no contest to being an accessory after the fact and receiving stolen property. Neither man was directly charged with Wactor’s death, but their actions contributed to the circumstances that led to the actor’s fatal shooting.
On May 25, Wactor was shot and killed in downtown Los Angeles when he interrupted three individuals stealing the catalytic converter from his car. The investigation revealed that Wactor had left work at a local rooftop bar with a coworker when he noticed his vehicle being hoisted by thieves. One of the individuals, believed to be one of the co-defendants, fired at Wactor, fatally wounding him.
Two other suspects, Robert Barceleau and Sergio Estrada, both 18, have been charged with Wactor’s murder. A judge recently ruled that there is enough evidence to move forward with their trial. Both have pleaded not guilty to the charges. The tragic incident sparked a long investigation, with law enforcement seeking public assistance, and intense demands from Wactor’s family and friends for justice. The arrest of the four suspects in August brought some relief, though it did little to ease the grief of Wactor’s loved ones.
