A man was sentenced to 20 years in prison after he shot another man in Willacy County more than 10 years ago.

Willacy County District Attorney Bernard Ammerman told Action 4 News that suspect Rafael Elizondo pled guilty to murder in a murder case on Thursday.

Elizondo was accused of shooting 22-year-old Juan Hernandez in the head with a small-caliber weapon back in September of 1998.

Hernadez’ body was found by dove hunters south of FM 490.

Evidence showed the murder was gang-related, but there was no direct evidence linking Elizondo to the shooting.

It was treated as a cold case until evidence finally surfaced in 2005 linking Elizondo to the murder.