One of 17 accused MS-13 gang members indicted for more than 10 murders in Santa Maria over a three-year period has pleaded no contest.
The Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office says the plea by Rafael Castro Wednesday was part of an agreement with their office.
Castro was sentenced to six years in prison for gang conspiracy and a special allegation of offering to furnish a gun. However, the DA’s Office says he waived two years of custody credit bringing his sentence to eight years.
There are two different cases involving the 17 alleged gang members arrested during a sweep in 2016 from California to Ohio.
Of the 17 initially indicted, three have entered pleas.
Twelve of the defendants involved in the larger case are due back in court in November.
