Federal authorities arrested Michael Angel Alvarez, 41, also known as “Diablo,” of Westlake, on Friday, May 29, 2026, for possessing body armor by a violent felon. Officers discovered two body armor plates in his trunk near MacArthur Park during the arrest.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, Alvarez is a convicted murderer who law enforcement believes remains an active member of the 18th Street gang. Prosecutors state he was paid by the City of Los Angeles through Healing Urban Barrios—a nonprofit contracted by the city for its Peace Ambassador program in Council District 1—to work as a “Peace Ambassador.”

The federal complaint reveals the city allocated $450,000 from its general fund between June 2024 and May 2027 for this program. In 2025 alone, Healing Urban Barrios paid Alvarez $58,156. Alvarez’s criminal history includes a first-degree murder conviction in 2002 for which he was sentenced to 50 years in state prison but released after serving 24 years. He was also convicted in April 2025 of possessing a weapon while incarcerated.

A city employee working under the program created by Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez maintained his job despite two arrests and being stabbed, according to federal officials. Investigators seized a business card from Alvarez identifying him as a Los Angeles city employee. On May 18, FBI agents reported recognizing Alvarez near MacArthur Park after investigating a stolen car report; he allegedly told them he worked for Mayor Karen Bass’s crisis response team.

If convicted on the federal complaint, Alvarez faces up to five years in prison. The case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force initiative established under Executive Order 14159. A federal complaint remains an allegation and does not constitute evidence; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.