Salinas gang member gets 15 years in prison for conspiracy & use of firearms

A Salinas gang member was sentenced to 15 years in prison for his part in several robberies, murders, and other crimes.

31-year-old Anthony Lek pleaded guilty to the crimes in 2018.

Lek was one of nine men charged in the gang crackdown.

Salinas police said the men involved contributed to the majority of the shootings in the city in 2009. That year, Salinas reached a record number of homicides.

The indictment said one of the homicides involved an incident at Alisal High School where a 15-year-old was killed on the athletic field. Charges also include armed bank robberies in Salinas, Watsonville and San Jose and an armed robbery at a jewelry story in Gilroy.

Lek has been in custody since his arrest, and will begin serving his 15-year sentence immediately.