LA gang member, who helped Olympian turned into billion-dollar drug trafficker, charged in federal indictment

Roberto Gomez, 51, also known by aliases including "Rob Flores," "Fat Boy," "Fats" and "Rooster," was charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, conspiracy to import controlled substances, three counts of accessory after the fact, and attempting to transact with a designated narcotics trafficker.

Gomez fled Los Angeles to Mexico after being charged with robbery in 2000. While in Mexico, he maintained communication with leaders of foreign terrorist organizations including the Sinaloa Cartel and Cártel de Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG).

Olympic connection

Gomez helped Wedding, a former Canadian Olympian who competed in the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Games, obtain sensitive law enforcement information to avoid detection. Wedding finished 24th in the men's parallel giant slalom before turning to drug trafficking.

Legal history

In 2018, a federal grand jury in Los Angeles indicted Gomez on drug-trafficking and money laundering charges, making him a fugitive in both cases. Wedding surrendered to authorities in January 2026 after facing mounting pressure from U.S. authorities.

Gomez cultivated relationships with individuals who had access to sensitive law enforcement information from both Mexican and U.S. agencies, providing details about arrests, drug seizures, warrant executions and criminal charges to his co-conspirators.