Three high-ranking members of the notorious 18th Street gang have been sentenced to a combined total of over 115 years in prison for their roles in a racketeering conspiracy. The sentencing comes after a lengthy investigation and prosecution by federal authorities. Jose Douglass Castellano, also known as 'Chino', a senior member of the gang, was the first to be sentenced. He received a prison term of 37 years and 5 months for his involvement in the murder of a rival gang member on October 25, 2017. Castellano's conviction was one of several that stemmed from a broader racketeering conspiracy investigation, which uncovered a complex web of violence and intimidation orchestrated by the 18th Street gang. Two other gang leaders, Victor Manuel Martinez and Juan Carlos Ramirez, were also sentenced in separate proceedings. Martinez, who was found guilty of participating in the same murder as Castellano, received a sentence of 39 years. Ramirez, who was convicted of racketeering conspiracy and conspiracy to commit murder, was sentenced to 40 years in prison. The sentencing of these three high-ranking gang members marks a significant victory for federal authorities in their efforts to dismantle the 18th Street gang. The 18th Street gang is a transnational organization with roots in El Salvador, but it has established a significant presence in the United States, particularly in cities with large Hispanic populations. The gang's activities have been linked to a range of crimes, including murder, extortion, and narcotics trafficking. The investigation that led to the convictions of Castellano, Martinez, and Ramirez was a culmination of years of work by federal agents and prosecutors, who employed a range of tactics to build a case against the gang leaders. The sentences handed down in this case serve as a warning to other gang members that they will be held accountable for their crimes. Federal authorities will continue to work to disrupt the operations of the 18th Street gang and bring its leaders to justice. The sentences were handed down in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York. The investigation was led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York. Image_query: 'Law enforcement agents making an arrest in New York'