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Who is Luis Rivera & Where is He Now? 2026 Update & Background

by · January 1, 2026

Luis Rivera grew up in Miami and became involved in gang life at an early age. He rose through the ranks of the Latin Kings, a notorious street gang with a significant presence in South Florida. Known by the alias “King Tato,” Rivera eventually led the North Miami chapter. His criminal record included violent offenses and federal racketeering charges unrelated to the Dan Markel case.

At the time of the murder in 2014, Rivera was already under federal investigation. He was later convicted in an unrelated federal case and serving a sentence for racketeering conspiracy when police identified him as a suspect in the Markel killing. His status as a gang leader and career criminal gave him insight into the mechanics of murder-for-hire operations—insight he ultimately shared with law enforcement.

Role in the Markel Murder Plot

According to court records and Rivera’s own testimony, Sigfredo Garcia—his longtime friend—invited him to participate in the murder of Dan Markel. The men rented a Toyota Prius and drove from Miami to Tallahassee. Over the course of two days, they surveilled Markel, followed him to the gym, and waited for the right moment.

On July 18, 2014, they tracked Markel to his home. Garcia approached and shot Markel in the head as he sat in his car in the garage. Rivera acted as the driver and lookout, immediately fleeing the scene with Garcia. They drove back to Miami, where Rivera said he received his cut of the payment: $35,000.

In later statements, Rivera revealed that he didn’t know Markel and didn’t fully understand the personal motive. He said he was told only that “the lady wants her two kids back,” referencing the custody battle between Markel and his ex-wife, Wendi Adelson.

Cooperation with Prosecutors

Rivera was arrested in 2016 and quickly entered into a plea agreement with state prosecutors. He pled guilty to second-degree murder and received a 19-year prison sentence to be served concurrently with his existing federal sentence. In exchange, he provided critical details about the murder plot, helping authorities piece together the larger conspiracy.

His cooperation was instrumental in building the case against Sigfredo Garcia, Katherine Magbanua, and later, Charles Adelson. He confirmed the role each played in the crime and walked prosecutors through the planning, travel timeline, and communication involved. Rivera also participated in multiple trials, testifying for the prosecution each time.

Courtroom Testimony and Impact

On the stand, Rivera explained how the plan unfolded, his relationship with Garcia, and how Magbanua was the intermediary between them and the Adelsons. He described in detail the events leading up to the shooting, their stay in Tallahassee motels, and their exit route from the crime scene. His testimony was graphic, specific, and aligned with electronic evidence gathered by police.

Rivera’s statements provided emotional weight to the prosecution’s narrative. Despite his violent background, his direct involvement and eventual willingness to testify allowed the state to solidify connections between all parties. His comments about the motive and payout made it clear that the killing was transactional—a murder for hire intended to solve a family dispute.

Where Luis Rivera Is Now

Luis Rivera is currently incarcerated in Florida, serving his 19-year sentence for second-degree murder, running concurrently with his federal prison term. He is expected to remain in custody until at least the early 2030s. His testimony in multiple trials, including those of Magbanua and Charles Adelson, makes it unlikely that he will ever be released early or placed in a less secure facility.

He is no longer active in the Latin Kings and has expressed regret about his involvement. While his cooperation with prosecutors shielded him from a life sentence, he remains a convicted murderer serving a long prison term with no current role in appeals or active litigation.

Legacy in the Dan Markel Case

Luis Rivera will be remembered not only as one of the two men who carried out the killing of Dan Markel, but also as the first participant to break ranks and tell the full story. His cooperation provided the foundation for every conviction that followed, linking the hit men to Magbanua, and ultimately to the Adelson family.

Although Rivera has faded from public view, his detailed testimony played a pivotal role in unraveling one of the most complex murder-for-hire cases in Florida’s history. Without him, it is unlikely prosecutors could have built airtight cases against the upper levels of the conspiracy. His decision to turn state’s witness permanently altered the course of the investigation and its outcomes.

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Ryan Gill

Ryan is a passionate follower of true crime television programs, reporting on and providing in-depth investigations on mysteries in the criminal world.

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