South Gate role model receives recognition for his work with those in need

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Antonio Villegas, attorney and resident of South Gate, received a special recognition on Tuesday night from the South Gate City Council for his altruistic work. Villegas is the attorney representing the family of an autistic boy who was slapped in the face by a man at a bus stop.

The story caused controversy and anger among the community in July of this year after 10-year-old Alfredo Morales touched the emblem of a Mercedes Benz and the owner got out of his car and slapped him. The incident was caught on video. 

After learning of the incident, Villegas quickly decided to represent Alfredito and his family to seek justice. He said this decision came out of his heart and from the teachings he learned from his parents and others who have helped him along the way. 

Alfredito and his family were homeless not because they wanted to be in that situation but because the family lost all their savings after trying to start a business before the COVID-19 pandemic started, said Villegas.

Villegas said that he now feels like a tío (uncle) for Alfredito because to help them, he had to learn about their struggle and their story. 

“And I learned that raising a child with autism, it's a lifelong obligation,” said Villegas.

A South Gate role model

Villegas is known because of his long ties in helping his community. He was born and raised in South Gate. He said his parents still live in the same house they bought when he was born. He was one of six children, and because his parents worked full time, they dropped off the kids at the park every day after school to participate in sports activities. 

“That’s when I learned to deal with pressure in the context of sports and later on in life when there was pressure in law school and college and taking the bar and then being a lawyer,” he said. 

Now, as a professional, Villegas appreciates growing up in South Gate because he has been able to identify things his colleagues in the legal industry didn't, and that gave him an advantage. Villegas worked for the government as a deputy public defender for eight years and won 98% of the cases. Part of his success is attributed to knowing how to deal with people as he grew up when there were a lot of gangs and learned how to deal with them. This became an advantage in the long run. 

“A lot of those cases involved street life and gang life and drug sales and things that involve the rules of the street,” he said. “And juries always told me that they could see that I knew stuff about the streets that the other lawyers didn't know.” 

A recognition dear to his heart

Former Mayor Gil Hurtado gave the recognition to Villegas. Hurtado said he felt the story of Alfredito is close to his heart as he also has a grandchild who is on the autism spectrum. 

“One of the many things is that you learn to love them the way they are. I wouldn’t want my grandson any different. He is special the way he is, and there are many children in the community who are on the spectrum,” said Hurtado.

He highlighted the importance of learning about their needs and calling on those who ignore them. He also commended the fast reaction from Villegas and said he is proud since he has known him since his childhood years. Hurtado was Villegas' coach when he played at the park after school. 

Villegas said that while many praise him for helping Alfredito, the boy and his family have helped him much more. 

“I've never been happier in my life,” said Villegas. “Never like the fulfillment I get from seeing that little boy and his family take steps towards recovering a better life and getting back to a place where they can live like normal people, is incredibly fulfilling.”

He said more businesses should help people in need. 

“If you do great things for people in their life, and you focus on just doing great things, you will eventually make money,” he said.

Since the family’s situation was made public, they received help to pay for temporary housing and their vehicle was fixed. Alfredito is attending a good school for autistic children, and Villegas said he is glad to help transform this family’s life in a positive manner.  

The owner of the Mercedes Benz was identified as Scott Sakajian. He is scheduled to appear in court on January 23, 2024. If he’s convicted, he faces up to six months in jail.