Illegal Immigrant Gets 20 Years In Nun's Death | News

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. (WUSA) --- Carlos Martinelly-Montano will serve 20 years in prison for the death of Sister Denise Mosier, 66, in a car crash in August, 2010.  Two other nuns were injured in the crash. 

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Montano's mother and brother both took to the stand in front of Judge Jon Farris. The judge said the testimony helped the twenty four year old's case. 

"I have listened to your family and quite frankly, I have lowered down what I originally was going to give you based on that  information. But unfortunately, your punishment still needs to be severe because of what you did," Judge Farris said. 

In addition to the 20-year sentence for felony murder, Montano is charged with five other related crimes including involuntary manslaughter. 

Montano spoke to the judge and said he has turned his life around. He said he wants to be an ordained minister and has been corresponding with the sisters at St. Benedictine Monastery in Bristow, Va. 

"He accepts full responsibility for what he did," said Dimitri Willis, Defense attorney. He says Montano has attended alcohol anonymous meetings after realizing he had a problem with alcohol at the time of the accident.

Montano was charged with DUI after he drove and crashed into a car carrying Mosier on Bristow Rd. on the bridge over Kettle Run. 

Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Ronald Reel says, "We are satisfied.  It's a serious sentence that sends a message that drinking and driving won't be tolerated when they lead to these sort of dire results."

Reel says the felony murder conviction in a drunk driving case is the first of its kind in recent memory in Prince William County.  Prosecutors believe it was proper because this was Martinelly Montano's third DUI.

Martinelly Montano has already served one year of his sentence. He will have to serve at least 85% of his sentence (17 years) before he can be released on good behavior. 

Once out, he will then serve three years supervised probation. 

24-year old Martinelly Montano is a Bolivian national. 

The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) released this statement about Montano's status in the country: "At this time, ICE has a detainer placed on Montano. Once he serves the criminal sentence being issued today, he will be transferred to ICE custody for removal."