Lawrenceville Teen Sentenced to Life for Role in Deadly Gun Robbery Scheme

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA – A Gwinnett County jury has found a 19-year-old Lawrenceville man guilty of murder and related charges in connection with a 2022 gun robbery scheme that ended in the death of a teenager.

On Wednesday afternoon, jurors convicted Miguel Gabriel Flores of three counts of felony murder, theft by taking, aggravated assault, and criminal attempt to commit armed robbery for the July 2022 shooting death of 16-year-old Abel Castellanos. Flores was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole.

Prosecutors said Castellanos had posted on social media that he was selling a .380 handgun. Flores responded and arranged to meet the victim at his Suwanee apartment under the guise of buying the weapon. Instead, investigators revealed, Flores planned to rob the teen with the help of accomplices.

During the attempted robbery, Castellanos was shot in the chest and killed. A second firearm was also stolen before the suspects fled the scene.

District Attorney Patsy Austin-Gatson said the conviction delivers a measure of justice to the victim’s family.

“No plans surrounding crime and guns can end well,” Austin-Gatson said. “Our hope is that this outcome begins the healing process for the victim’s loved ones and family.”

Flores was not acting alone, authorities said. Joshua Poteat, who served as the driver, and Jermain Rimson, another gunman, were also involved in the plot and are facing charges of their own. Both men are expected to be tried at a later date.

At trial, the jury heard testimony from a woman who was in the vehicle with the suspects. She told jurors she had been on a date with Poteat and was unaware of the robbery plan. Jurors also reviewed text messages from Flores that showed he had orchestrated the attempted gun heist.

The case was prosecuted by Managing Assistant District Attorney Chris Lewis and Assistant District Attorney Nam Nguyen, with support from Investigator Benjamin Lucas and Victim Witness Advocate Trina Bradford. The Suwanee Police Department and the Gwinnett County Medical Examiner’s Office also assisted in closing the case.

Flores, now sentenced to life in prison, will be eligible for parole consideration after serving a minimum portion of his sentence.