On November 14th, 2020, Angel and his brother Jo Lobato were arrested by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office for first-degree murder, robbery with a deadly weapon, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, accessory after the fact, grand theft, tampering with physical evidence, criminal use of personal identification information, and giving false information to a law enforcement officer.

On November 4th, 2020, the victim was reported missing by his mother. He was not answering his phone after getting off of work from the Publix Warehouse. She also reported suspicious activity on his bank account that day.

Jo stated he began communicating with the victim approximately one month prior to the murder on social media. Jo and Angel didn’t have a job, money, or a car and were looking to “hit a lick” to obtain a car and money. They decided that the victim would be an easy target. Angel advised they planned to rob and kill the victim. In doing so, they would earn their “stripes” in the streets. Angel stated he told Jo to continue speaking with the victim via social media and pretended to want a relationship. Angel advised to continue this until the victim is willing to meet up in person, which would allow them to carry out their plan to kill and rob the victim. 

Jo advised he communicated via social media with the victim, and they planned to meet up after the victim got off work. Jo advised he arranged to meet the victim in the Central Park area located in Winter Haven. Once the victim advised he was on the way, Angel armed himself with a metal bat and walked to the spot they previously picked out. Angel hid behind a tree and waited for Jo and the victim to arrive in the victim’s vehicle. He advised that Jo directed the victim to park by Lake Howard at the spot they previously selected. Angel struck the victim numerous times with a bat. Jo and Angel cut the victim’s throat with a knife to make sure he was “gone.” On November 10, 2020, the victim’s body was found in an overgrown wooded area on Helicopter Road in Lake Wales during an environmental survey of the property.

On November 14, 2020, the brothers were located inside a truck at an auto parts store on SR 60 in Lake Wales. When taken into custody, Jo and Angel confessed to the crime.

Both Lobato brothers were convicted of first-degree murder by a Polk County jury. Jo Lobato was previously sentenced to life in prison on November 8th, 2024. Angel Lobato is scheduled to be sentenced on September 3rd. He faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison. State Attorney Brian Haas thanks Assistant State Attorney Ralph Guerra and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and Lakeland Police Department for pursuing justice in this case.