60 years for Levy's killer

The man convicted of killing Washington intern Chandra Levy nearly a decade ago was sentenced Friday to 60 years in prison.

Ingmar Guandique, 27, would not be released from prison until he was at least about 80 years old, assuming he lives that long, said District of Columbia Superior Court Judge Gerald Fisher.

Guandique, an illegal immigrant from El Salvador affiliated with the gang MS-13, was convicted in November of first-degree murder in Levy's 2001 disappearance and death, despite a lack of witnesses and DNA evidence linking him to the crime.

During Friday's sentencing hearing, Levy's mother, Susan Levy, asked Guandique directly if he had been responsible for her daughter's death. He looked her in the eyes and shook his head.

"I am innocent," Guandique said.

After her affair with former California Rep. Gary Condit came to light, Levy's disappearance became a national sensation. Police initially focused on Condit as a suspect, but shifted to Guandique, who was already serving time in prison for multiple attacks on female joggers in the D.C. area. The investigation centered on Guandique after he allegedly confessed to Levy's killing in conversation with a cellmate.

A witness told police that Guandique boasted about his affiliation with MS-13 and said that he was known as "Chuckie" because he had a reputation for "killing and chopping up people." Guandique hasn't been charged in any other slayings.

Guandique's sentence came just days after the office of the Virginia Attorney General released information regarding Salvadoran gang activity in Northern Virginia. According to a press release, MS-13 activity has included an attempt to kill rival gang members in May 2008 outside of a youth center in Fairfax County, using a machete, chain and pick axe. MS-13 members also collected protection money from at least two prostitution organizations operating in Culmore this past year, a portion of the funds being sent to gang operations in El Salvador.

"MS-13 and the violent tactics they use to instill fear throughout our communities will not be tolerated," said John P. Torres, Special Agent in Charge for ICE, Office of Homeland Security Investigations, according to the States News Service. "MS-13 operates as a criminal enterprise using brutal acts to...attempted murder as a means to spread their control in our neighborhoods."

Guandique's attorneys have 30 days to file an appeal.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.