A member of the MS-13 gang, who goes by the nickname “Animal,” was sentenced to 40 years in prison this week in Massachusetts.
Twenty-three-year-old Joel Martinez, also known as “Animal” was sentenced to 40 years in prison for his role in a conspiracy that involved the murder of a 15-year-old boy, The Washington Times reports.
“Animal” admitted his involvement in the murder was part of an initiation as a “homeboy” in the ruthless street gang.
In order to be initiated into the Massachusetts branch of the MS-13, prospective members must kill a member of a rival gang. Members of the MS-13 gang refer to rival gang members as “Culeros.”
“I stabbed the Culero three times,” Martinez told prosecutors. “He stared at me and he asked me if I was going to, if I was going to stab him. I told him, ‘Yes, the Mara rules you.’”
“Mara” is short for “Mara Salvatrucha,” which is where the “MS” in “MS-13” comes from.
The prosecutors made note of the timeliness of the conviction of an MS-13 “homeboy” named “Animal,” as it comes less than a week after President Trump statement: “these aren’t people, these are animals,” was purposely misconstrued to make it appear as though he was talking about all immigrants. (RELATED: Media Falsely Accuses Trump Of Calling Immigrants ‘Animals’)