Aspiring Phoenix gang member sentenced to prison for committing multiple murders

PHOENIX — A Phoenix gang member has been sentenced to prison after committing multiple murders, Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell announced Friday.

Timothy Moses Bernal, 27, will serve nearly 49 years in prison after pleading guilty to two counts of first-degree murder and for violating probation from a previous aggravated assault conviction.

In May 2023, Bernal killed Chad Munoz, a former Mexican Mafia member in “bad standing,” to gain membership into the gang himself.

During this investigation, it was discovered that Bernal was involved in a second murder three months earlier, killing Austen Mole following a gun dispute.

Both murders occurred while Bernal was on probation for aggravated assault which had occurred in 2015.

“Ridding our streets of gang activity is what our Gang Bureau prosecutors aim for every single day here at MCAO,” Mitchell said. “When we imprison those who kill with no regard for human life, we’re doing what I’ve promised: keeping every community safe.”