El Patrón: 14-Year Prison Sentence for Ciro Gómez Leyva Attack Mastermind
Key facts: Armando Escárcega (“El Patrón”) & Attempted Murder of Ciro Gómez Leyva – HARD STOP
Here’s a breakdown of the relevant facts from the provided text:
* Armando Escárcega, alias “El Patrón,” was sentenced to 14 years in prison for heading a criminal cell that attempted to murder journalist Ciro Gómez Leyva on December 15, 2022.
* The sentence was handed down by Judge Edmundo Manuel Perusquía Cabañas on december 16th (year not specified, but implied to be 2023, three years after the attack).
* “El Patrón” also has to pay 45,856 pesos in damages.
* He accepted an abbreviated trial (plea bargain) in exchange for a reduced sentence, admitting to planning and coordinating the attack.
* The attack was allegedly ordered by the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) in retaliation for Gómez Leyva’s reporting.
* Ciro Gómez Leyva himself questions the official narrative. He states he still doesn’t know who ordered the attempt on his life or why, despite the convictions of the hitmen. He finds it “hard to believe” the CJNG was behind it.
* He has not received any communication from those responsible explaining the motive.
