Michael Angel Alvarez, a convicted murderer known as “Diablo,” has been released after a federal judge dismissed the case against him. This decision comes despite Los Angeles taxpayers having paid him $58,156 for his role as a “Peace Ambassador.”
Alvarez, 41, gained his freedom on Wednesday following the dismissal of the federal indictment by US District Judge Anne Hwang. Hwang, a Democrat appointed by President Joe Biden, determined that Alvarez’s 2002 murder conviction no longer met the criteria for a felony under California’s Proposition 57.
Alvarez was only 15 when he was convicted of first-degree murder, resulting in a sentence of 50 years to life. He served 24 years before his release.
With the murder conviction no longer classed as a felony, it could not substantiate the federal body-armor case against him.
The US Attorney’s Office strongly criticized the outcome, stating, “Alvarez is a convicted murderer and a documented member of the 18th Street gang … he has no legitimate role serving as a ‘peace ambassador’ in a public park or receiving taxpayer-funded compensation.” The office highlighted that Alvarez benefits from a California law that allows him to erase his murder conviction, a privilege not available to his victim.
The connection to taxpayer funds makes the situation particularly noteworthy.
After serving his prison sentence, Alvarez was employed by Healing Urban Barrios, a nonprofit contracted by Los Angeles to provide Peace Ambassador services in the First City Council District, including MacArthur Park.
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The city allocated $450,000 from its general fund for the program from June 2024 to May 2027.
In 2025, Alvarez received $58,156.
Federal authorities accused Alvarez of living a double life—posing as a violence-prevention worker while staying involved with the 18th Street gang.
They cited jailhouse calls where Alvarez allegedly talked about assaulting people who violated gang rules.
Later, police discovered body armor.
On May 18, officers near MacArthur Park detained Alvarez, suspecting he might be wanted by law enforcement.
A vehicle search revealed two body armor plates in the trunk.
The plates were marketed as offering “the highest protection level available on the civilian market,” according to the federal affidavit.
Alvarez faced charges for possessing body armor as a violent felon.
He also had a felony conviction in April 2025 for possessing a weapon while in prison. First Assistant US Attorney Bill Essayli criticized the taxpayer-funded arrangement following Alvarez’s arrest.
“The hardworking taxpayers of Los Angeles deserve better than to see their money shelled out to a convicted gang murderer,” Essayli stated in May.
The Peace Ambassador program aimed to employ individuals with justice or gang system experience to help prevent violence and mediate crises.
Federal authorities claimed Alvarez maintained gang affiliations while collecting a public paycheck.
With the case dismissed, Alvarez has been released.
