The leader of a violent Mexican drug trafficking gang was sentenced Tuesday to nine life terms without the possibility of parole.
Juan Francisco Estrada Gonzalez, 35, who was part of the gang “Los Palillos, was convicted of six murders and kidnappings in San Diego County between 2004 and 2007.
He was found guilty of the charges along with “Los Palillos” boss Jorge Rojas Lopez after a 15-month trial.
Prior to the killings, Estrada Gonzalez was sentenced to 29 years in prison in Mexico in 2003, but escaped to the United States.
He and Rojas Lopez avoided the death penalty after jurors deadlocked during the penalty phase of their deliberations. The men then pleaded guilty to unresolved counts to avoid capital punishment.
Two other gang members have already been sentenced to life in prison for their roles in the crimes.
