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.
About the Author
Bill Rankin has been an AJC reporter for more than 30 years. His father, Jim Rankin, worked as an editor for the newspaper for 26 years, retiring in 1986. Bill has primarily covered the state’s court system, doing all he can do to keep the scales of justice on an even keel. Since 2015, he has been the host of the newspaper’s Breakdown podcast.
