(Lawrenceville, Ga., 9/3/25) – A Lawrenceville man was found guilty of murder for planning a gun heist that left the would-be seller dead.

A Gwinnett County jury on Wednesday afternoon found Miguel Gabriel Flores, 19, guilty of three counts of felony murder, theft by taking, aggravated assault and criminal attempt to commit a robbery for the July 2022 shooting death of 16-year-old Abel Castellanos. Flores was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole.

“No plans surrounding crime and guns can end well,” District Attorney Patsy Austin-Gatson said. “Our hope is that this outcome begins the healing process for the victim’s loved ones and family.”

On July 19, 2022, Castellanos announced on social media that he was trying to sell a .380 handgun. Flores responded to the social media post and arranged to meet at Castellanos’ apartment in Suwanee to purchase the gun. But Flores’ true intention was to rob the victim at gunpoint.

Other defendants were involved. Joshua Poteat drove, and Jermain Rimson joined as an additional gunman as a part of Flores’ scheme. They expected to be a quick stick-up and escape scenario. Poteat and Rimson also face charges. They will be tried at a later date.

At the exchange, Castellanos was shot in the chest. A second handgun was taken off Castellanos before they fled. During trial, the jury heard testimony from a woman riding in the SUV with the trio who was there as Poteat’s date but unaware of the plans. The jury also saw text messages from Flores showing that he planned the robbery.

The case was prosecuted by Managing Assistant District Attorney Chris Lewis and Assistant District Attorney Nam Nguyen with assistance from Investigator Benjamin Lucas and Victim Witness Advocate Trina Bradford. The Suwanee Police Department and the Gwinnett County Medical Examiner’s Office were also invaluable to closing the case.