06/01/2026
A convicted murderer, whom law enforcement believes is an active member of the 18th Street gang while being paid with City of Los Angeles funds to work as a “Peace Ambassador,” was arrested Friday and charged in a federal criminal complaint him with illegally possessing two body armor plates near the city’s drug-and-crime-infested MacArthur Park.
Michael Angel Alvarez, 41, a.k.a. “Diablo,” of Westlake, was charged with possession of body armor by a violent felon. According to an affidavit filed with the complaint, Alvarez is a convicted gang murderer who represents himself as working for Healing Urban Barrios, a Lincoln Heights-based organization that contracted with the city for its Peace Ambassador program that is run in the city’s Council District 1, which includes MacArthur Park. He has represented himself as a member of that organization through clothing he wears.
Additional Details: https://www.justice.gov/usao-cdca/pr/18th-street-gang-member-who-was-paid-peace-ambassador-city-arrested-illegally