UPPER MARLBORO, Maryland (7News) — A Prince George’s County judge sentenced an MS-13 gang member to just 10 years in prison after a jury found him guilty of first-degree murder in an execution-style killing, even though guidelines called for a life sentence.

Anderson Diaz Blanco was convicted in July of murdering 27-year-old Antoine Dorsey in 2022.

Dorsey was shot in the head at close range while kneeling, according to prosecutors. Diaz Blanco also faces new charges for attempted murder and rape allegedly committed in prison.

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Dorsey’s family was stunned to hear Judge Darren Johnson reduce Diaz-Blanco’s sentence to just 10 years after sentencing on Oct. 25.

“This is heartbreaking. This is devastating for a family that has waited two years for justice. Two years for a logical outcome. How about this? Two years for a conclusion where crime matches time, and that’s not appropriate.” Dorsey’s brother Jarel said this in an interview with 7News on Tuesday.

“It didn’t make much sense to hear that his sentence was reduced to 10 years when he had a life sentence. It was pure disgust. I couldn’t believe it,” said Sharbonte, Dorsey’s twin sister.

Judge Johnson was appointed in 2023 by then-Governor Larry Hogan. He is currently running for election to remain on the bench.

“The court may consider evidence that is inadmissible at the hearing. “In doing so, the court will sentence the gentleman to life imprisonment and suspend all but 10 years of the sentence on the first charge of first-degree murder,” Johnson said. “The court goes beyond the rules that say: life to life. However, as stated, the court may take into account matters that the jury could not consider when making this decision.”

The judge did not say what that evidence was, but he appeared to place some of the blame on the victim.

“Despite everything the family says, sometimes people other than us are different people that we are not aware of. “But in this case, I believe this is an appropriate sentence based on the court’s assessment of the totality of what happened.”

At that sentencing hearing, Blanco-Diaz also maintained his innocence.

“Let God be my witness that what the prosecutor said in my case is a lie. “With all honesty, I tell the family that nothing happened as the state of Maryland has shown,” said Blanco-Diaz, requesting a light sentence.

Prince George’s County Prosecutor Aisha Braveboy also voiced her opposition to the sentence.

“I am deeply disappointed that the judge deviated greatly from sentencing guidelines,” Braveboy said.