Violent gang leader gets life sentence

The leader of a Norcross clique of a violent international street gang was given three life sentences Tuesday for racketeering crimes, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

Miguel Alvarado-Linares, known as “Joker,” headed the MS-13 gang faction during the height of its most violent period and was involved in at least four murders, prosecutors said. The Justice Department had deemed Alvarado-Linares eligible for the death penalty but, after a review, declined to pursue it. Alvarado-Linares was convicted at trial in July.