Mexican Mafia associate gets 17 years for ordering attacks behind bars

A Mexican Mafia associate was sentenced Monday to more than 17 years in federal prison for ordering attacks behind bars on behalf of the powerful prison-based gang.
Ramon Alvarez, 45, of Santa Ana previously pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy charges, admitting to having been given the power to place fellow inmates on so-called “hard candy” or “green light” lists that marked them for murder or assault while they were in the Orange County jail system.
Federal prosec