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Convicted gang member sentenced to 6 life terms in prison

HAMMOND, Ind. (AP) – A high-ranking Imperial Gangster from northwestern Indiana has been sentenced to six consecutive life terms in prison for the deaths of five men while taking part in drug trafficking.

A federal judge ordered the sentence Monday for 25-year-old Juan Briseno of East Chicago.

A jury in February convicted Briseno of the shooting deaths, along with charges of racketeering and conspiracy to distribute marijuana and cocaine.

Those jurors voted in March against giving him the death penalty.

Judge Philip Simon described Briseno’s crimes as the worst conduct he has ever seen and that Briseno had shown a lack of remorse.

Briseno didn’t speak during the hearing.

Briseno was among 24 Imperial Gangsters members indicted in federal court. Twenty-two entered guilty pleas, while another was convicted at trial.