Judge Hellerstein sentences Fernandez to two consecutive life terms for Bronx murder-for-hire

US District Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein sentenced Joe Fernandez in Manhattan federal court on July 16, 2013 to two consecutive life sentences under 18 U.S.C. § 1958 for the murder-for-hire killings of Arturo Cuellar and Ildefonso Vivero Flores. The consecutive—rather than concurrent—structure of the sentences meant Fernandez would serve a minimum of two life terms without possibility of parole. Unlike his co-defendants Luis Rivera and Patrick Darge, who pleaded guilty and cooperated with prosecutors, Fernandez went to trial, which the government cited in requesting the maximum sentence.