4-men who were convicted of drug trafficking and conspiracy charges in december, were sentenced yesterday in a federal court room in sacramento. the arrests were part of an operation called operation valley star, which began in 2004. former salinas resident larry amaro was sentenced to 40-years in federal prison, and ernest paul killinger, also of salinas, was sentenced to 36-years. fellow defendant gerardo mora was sentenced to 33-years, and jason stewart-hanson was given a 25-year sentence. his sentence was trimmed slightly, as he was not suspected of being a nuestra familia gang member, like the others. the men plan to appeal their convictions.
