Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman sentenced to life in prison

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, the notorious Mexican drug kingpin, was sentenced by a federal judge Wednesday to life in prison.

The sentence caps a narco saga for Guzman, 62, who was convicted in February of charges that carried a mandatory life sentence.

His sentence includes an additional 30 years on top of his life sentence, and he was ordered to pay $12.6 billion in forfeiture, according to multiple reports.

Guzman had escaped custody twice in Mexico before he was extradited to the U.S. to face charges.

He once controlled an expansive drug empire, dealing at times viciously with cartel rivals to maintain his hold on power.