MANASSAS, Va. (CBSDC/AP) — An illegal immigrant from Bolivia who caused a drunken driving crash that killed a Benedictine nun and severely injured two others has been sentenced to 20 years in prison.

Carlos Martinelly Montano was sentenced Friday. The 24-year-old pleaded guilty to driving while intoxicated and driving without a license in the 2010 crash. He was convicted of murder at a trial in October, a conviction his attorneys say they plan to appeal.

Shortly before the judge handed down his sentence, Martinelly Montano told the court he was “truly sorry” for his actions and that he had an “agonizing pain” in his hearts.

The case drew national attention partly because of the victims — three elderly nuns — but mostly because of Martinelly’s immigration status. Federal authorities say Martinelly was an illegal immigrant who had been convicted of drunken driving twice previously but was never deported.

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