Man linked to Mexican Mafia gang gets 2nd life sentence

Man linked to Mexican Mafia gang gets 2nd life sentence

By Greg Gross 5:26 p.m. January 16, 2009

SAN DIEGO — A former San Diegan considered to be one of the top three leaders of the Mexican Mafia, who ran drugs from inside one of California's most tightly controlled state prisons, will die behind bars.

Raul Leon, 47, was sentenced Friday in federal court to life without parole by U.S. District Court Judge Dana M. Sabraw. He already is serving a life sentence for murder.

Leon had pleaded guilty to federal racketeering charges in connection with the Mexican Mafia, California's largest and most powerful prison gang. He was one of 36 defendants named in a sweeping federal indictment in 2006 targeting the gang, also known as “La Eme.â€