Mexican Mafia member given life sentence

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LA PUENTE, Calif., March 7 (UPI) -- A U.S. District Court judge sentenced a Mexican Mafia prison gang member and leader of the Puente Trece gang in California to life in federal prison.

Rafael "Cisco" Munoz-Gonzalez, 42, of La Puente, Calif., won't be eligible for parole, U.S. District Court Judge Howard Matz said Wednesday during sentencing.

Rafael Munoz-Gonzalez, along with his brother Cesar "Blanco" Munoz-Gonzalez, 38, were convicted in December of violating the Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organizations Act and committing crimes in aid of racketeering, engaging in conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, illegally possessing firearms and other offenses.

Cesar Munoz-Gonzalez was sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole Tuesday.

Prosecutors said while in prison Rafael Munoz-Gonzalez ordered a stabbing attack on another prisoner who was acting as a witness for federal investigators in the case, the Los Angeles Times reported.

The man was stabbed 22 times and beaten, suffering a punctured lung and a fractured skull.

Puente Trece claims La Puente as its turf, along with parts of the San Gabriel Valley and portions of Hacienda Heights, Walnut and West Covina, the federal Drug Enforcement Administration and Los Angeles Sheriff's Department said.