Unfortunately, the prisoner's dilemma played out here. It sounds like he ratted out the younger thugs for a plea deal. The younger criminals won't get time because of their age. Some well-paid lawyer figured out the plan.
But why in the world would anyone want to do this to a passive bird protecting its nest? 
Thanks for keeping this in the news. It will live forever on the internet when his potential wife/boss/friends/film buddies Google Christian Gutierrez's name.