August 14, 2026: Spurned Boyfriend Pleads Guilty to Fatally Shooting Four People, Setting Lancaster House Ablaze

Miguel Sandoval faces life in prison without the possibility of parole

LOS ANGELES - A 21-year-old man, angered by the end of a romantic relationship, has pleaded guilty to the 2024 murders of four people inside a Lancaster home and then setting the residence on fire.

"The defendant was jilted when he broke up with his boyfriend and then did something unimaginable when he killed four innocent people," said Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman. "This was a calculated act of violence that left a void for the victims' families that can never be filled. Rest assured this guilty plea will result in a lifetime prison sentence."

Miguel Diego Sandoval (dob 1/21/05) pleaded guilty yesterday to four counts of first-degree murder with the special circumstance allegations of multiple murders and murder by means of lying in wait. He also pleaded guilty to one felony count each of attempted murder, first-degree residential burglary and arson of an inhabited structure or property; three felony counts of animal cruelty; and two counts of child abuse under circumstances or conditions likely to cause great bodily injury or death.

He will be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole on November 17 in Department 105 of the Foltz Criminal Justice Center.

On Nov. 16, 2024, Sandoval waited outside a home on North Tabler Avenue in Lancaster until the occupants went to bed. He entered the home and fatally shot 21-year-old Janvi Maquindang, Christine Aca-ac, 25, Edwin Garcia, 24, and Matthew Montebello, 21.

Sandoval then set the house on fire and fled. A 16-year-old victim called 911 from inside the home and was rescued from a locked bedroom by responding Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies.

Sandoval committed the crimes as revenge after the end of a relationship with Aca-ac and Maquindang's brother, prosecutors said.

Case 25CJCF02868 is being prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Alexander Bott of the Major Crimes Division and investigated by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.