LA ‘Peace Ambassador’ and Convicted Killer Arrested on Federal Body Armor Charge

A man paid through a Los Angeles violence prevention program while allegedly remaining active in a street gang was arrested on June 1 on a federal charge accusing him of illegally possessing body armor near MacArthur Park, Los Angeles.

Federal authorities have charged Michael Angel Alvarez, 41, who is also known as “Diablo,” with possession of body armour by a violent felon. Prosecutors say Alvarez, a convicted murderer and suspected active member of the 18th Street gang, was found with two body armour plates in the trunk of his vehicle during a police encounter in the Westlake area.

If convicted, Alvarez will be sentenced to up to five years in federal prison. The criminal complaint alleges Alvarez worked as a ‘Peace Ambassador’ through Healing Urban Barrios, a community organisation contracted by the City of Los Angeles. It helps prevent violence and respond to crises in neighbourhoods that include MacArthur Park.

Authorities stated that the complaint contains only allegations. This means Alvarez is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

According to court documents, Los Angeles police officers were assisting with a stolen-vehicle investigation on May 18. At the scene at MacArthur Park, they noticed Alvarez standing at a nearby corner.

Officers believed he might be a wanted person and detained him. During the encounter, Alvarez allegedly told officers he was a “CRT,” which investigators believed referred to the mayor’s Crisis Response Team.

Later, they searched his vehicle, which led officers to find two body armor plates stored in the trunk, according to the affidavit. Prosecutors said the plates were purchased in Las Vegas and were marketed as offering the highest level of protection available to civilians.

Federal law prohibits certain convicted violent felons from possessing body armor.

Investigators also pointed to jailhouse phone calls, which suggest Alvarez remains involved in gang activity. In those conversations, he allegedly discussed assaults against people accused of violating gang rules.

Alvarez’s arrest has brought attention to the city-funded Peace Ambassador program, which is designed to reduce violence before it occurs and support residents during emergencies.

According to court records, Los Angeles agreed to provide $450,000 between June 2024 and May 2027 to help fund Healing Urban Barrios’ Peace Ambassador services. The program employs unarmed workers with backgrounds in the justice system or gang culture who are trained in violence prevention and trauma-informed care.

Court documents state Healing Urban Barrios paid Alvarez $58,156 in 2025.

Alvarez’s criminal record includes a 2002 first-degree murder conviction that resulted in a sentence of 50 years to life in prison. He was released after serving 24 years. He was also convicted in April 2025 of possessing a weapon while being in jail.

At present, the FBI is leading the investigation with the Los Angeles Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations. Meanwhile, Assistant U.S. Attorney Jena A. MacCabe is prosecuting the case.