NEW YORK – A man already in prison for a drug conviction, and the man he hired, were both sentenced to lengthy prison terms for a contract killing.
Oman Gutierrez, 36, was sentenced to 52 ½ years to life in prison, and Jose Inoa, also 36, received to 73 1/3 years to life prison, for murdering Edward Contreras in order to further the defendants’ drug trade in Washington Heights. At Gutierrez’s direction, and in expectation of payment, Inoa opened fire in a Washington Heights supermarket, killing Contreras and injuring a friend of the deceased.

On July 1, 2010, a jury convicted Gutierrez of murder in the first degree, murder in the second degree, conspiracy in the second degree, criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, and criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree. The jury convicted Inoa of murder in the first degree, murder in the second degree, attempted murder in the second degree, assault in the first degree, conspiracy in the second degree, criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, and criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree.

“This case highlights the inextricable ties between the drug trade and violent crime,” said “This case highlights the inextricable ties between the drug trade and violent crime,” said District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. “These drug dealers took the life of a father of eight and used threats, intimidation tactics, violence and money to control their neighborhood. Our Office remains dedicated to reducing all forms of violence in New York, and making communities where the drug trade rules safer places to live and grow.”

. “These drug dealers took the life of a father of eight and used threats, intimidation tactics, violence and money to control their neighborhood. Our Office remains dedicated to reducing all forms of violence in New York, and making communities where the drug trade rules safer places to live and grow.”