By Associated Press - Thursday, March 23, 2017

CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. (AP) - A New York man has been sentenced to 20 years in a gang-related killing on Long Island.

Prosecutors say 27-year-old Mario Diaz, of Freeport, had a role in the killing of Jose Vallejo in 2012. They say he did it so he would be allowed to transfer from one MS-13 clique to more violent sect. Newsday reports (https://nwsdy.li/2mXDmsr ) that Diaz convinced Vallejo to come to a Hempstead park for a drug deal. Vallejo was then killed by Diaz’s fellow gang members.

Diaz’ attorney, Michael Gold, said that Diaz joined the gang to escape being bullied in school and to help his family.

Diaz apologized to everyone he hurt. Other gang members are awaiting sentencing.

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This story has been corrected to reflect dateline of Central Islip, N.Y., not Central Islap.

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Information from: Newsday, https://www.newsday.com

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