California Gov. Jerry Brown rejected parole on Friday for former Mexican Mafia leader Rene "Boxer" Enriquez.

Enriquez has spent more than a decade working with authorities, speaking at law enforcement events, writing books and teaching classes.

Brown noted that despite Enriquez positive involvement with authorities as an informant and working with the community, the former gang leader still poses a danger to society if released.

"Because he is a high-profile drop-out targeted by the Mexican Mafia, Mr. Enriquez's parole poses a serious security risk to him, his family, his parole agents, and the community in which he is placed," Brown said in his decision. The Los Angeles Times posted a copy of the decision online. 

Enriquez, 52, is currently serving three life sentences for two counts of second-degree murder and assault with a deadly weapon. 

Enriquez started his life of crime at the age of 11. He joined the Mexican Mafia in 1985 while serving a prison sentence for robbery and forcible rape. He later became a leader in the organization, profiting from drug deals and other crimes.

In 1989, while out on parole, Enriquez ordered the murder of Cynthia Galvadon. At the time, she was one of Enriquez's drug dealers. He believed Galvadon was cheating him out of money and ordered one of his associates to kill her.

Enriquez also killed David Gallegos, a former Mexican Mafia member. Enriquez injected Gallegos multiple times with heroin in an attempt to make Gallegos overdose. He later shot Gallegos in the head five times to ensure he was dead.

Enriquez was arrested in 1990 for 15 counts of robbery. While in handcuffs, he and an associate who was also handcuffed attacked Salvador Buenrostro, stabbing him 26 times. Buenrostro survived the attack.

For a number of years while in prison, Enriquez continued his involvement in the gang. In prison, Enriquez stabbed other inmates, distributed weapons, trafficked drugs, recruited and trained new members and oversaw the Mexican Mafia's operation from prison.

He defected from the gang in 2002 and started helping law enforcement, acting as an informant and expert in investigations.

The Board of Parole Hearings had granted Enriquez parole, citing his remorse, acceptance of responsibility, good behavior and cooperation with law enforcement as reasons for Enriquez's release.

Law officials from 11 different offices sent in letters of recommendation attesting to Enriquez's contributions.

Gov. Brown overturned the decision on Friday. He cited Enriquez's lack of understanding as to why he initially joined the gang as a reason Enriquez should not be released.

Enriquez blames his drug use as the reason behind joining the gang but says he didn't understand why he participated in criminal activity.

The document says, "Mr. Enriquez claims that he was 'forced' against his will to join a street gang before he went to prison. Similarly, when asked why he associated with the Mexican Mafia, Mr. Enriquez said, 'I didn't want to be one of them' and that his involvement with the gang was 'basically, kind of a survival tactic.'"

Brown says Enriquez has not fully examined his reasons for pursuing a life of crime and knowingly involved himself in the gang to profit from crime.

"There is no guarantee that Mr. Enriquez will have a lifetime role in giving anti-gang testimony, and it is not clear that his commitment to avoid criminal behavior and use of drugs is lasting," Brown said.

The Los Angeles Times reported Galvadon's son called law enforcement agencies and the governor's office to prevent Enriquez's release. On Friday afternoon, the governor quickly responded to his please to stop the release. Galvadon said he became disenchanted with law authorities after learning the officers appeared to embrace the former gang member and his mother's killer. He says the governor did "the right thing" in overturning his parole.