Man sentenced to life plus 98 years in 2013 Greeley murder

GREELEY, Colo. – A man Weld County authorities say was a “well-known” gang leader will spend the rest of his life in prison for beating and stabbing a man to death in 2013.

John Anthony Silva was sentenced to life, plus 98 years in prison Monday after being convicted of first-degree murder, aggravated robbery, felony drug possession and other charges in August.

Silva, who previously served 12 years in state prison on manslaughter charges, beat Gumercindo Munoz-Vizcaino with a medieval flail and stabbed him several times in August 2013 after his release from prison. Munoz-Vizcaino bled out and died.

After the murder, Silva and other alleged gang members robbed a Weld County coin store.

“Hopefully this will send a message to anyone who wants to participate in gang activity,” said District Attorney Michael Rourke in a statement. “If you do, we will send you away for a very long time.”