NORWALK : Lottery Winner Sentenced in Riot Looting Case

A state lottery winner convicted of receiving stolen property that was looted during the riots was sentenced Monday to perform community service, while his brother received a yearlong term in the County Jail.

Sergio Hernandez, 28, who receives $120,000 a year from a $3-million lottery jackpot he won in 1989, was sentenced by Superior Court Judge Lois Anderson Smaltz in Norwalk. Smaltz gave Hernandez 120 days in jail, but stayed the term if Hernandez performs 30 days of free community work for Los Angeles County under the supervision of the probation department.

He had been charged with using his Pico Rivera home to store goods looted by his brother. “I thought he deserved more than community service,” said Deputy Dist. Atty. Marc Merrick. “He said he was a victim of circumstances, but he made several trips to pick up the loot.”

Martin Hernandez, 24, of Montebello was given a 365-day sentence, to begin Jan. 19. He had been charged with joining in the looting of two stores during the riots, and was convicted of receiving stolen property and second-degree burglary.

According to authorities, the goods taken included vacuum cleaners, television sets and other electronic equipment.