SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- A leader of the Brighton Brigade Gang has been sentenced after pleading guilty to racketeering charges.

Edwin Montanez, 30, was sentenced to 17 and a half years in prison for his role in drug trafficking, murder, robbery and other gang-related activity in Syracuse. Montanez also admitted to witness tampering before his trial.

Police arrested Montanez following an investigation by the Syracuse Gang Violence Task Force.