Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found athttps://www.justice.gov/OCDETF. It does not matter how old you are or when your criminal conduct occurred, you are next.. The virtues expressed by this symbolism suggest a strict discipline if not moralism, although this may be relative to who they are interacting. A friend who grew up on the South Side of Chicago explained a few of the meanings of iconography for the gang the Latin Kings: Their colors are gold and black. The majority of Thursday morning's arrests took place across Massachusetts, but some gang members and associates were also arrested in Rhode Island and Connecticut, Bonavolonta said. The gang's operations also stretched into New York, New Jersey and Maryland. And black is supposed to be their blackness absorbing the other rival gangs. Only 166 Latin Kings were registered as inmates by the Florida Department of Corrections in 1997. Hammond, IN 46320, Telephone: (219) 937-5500 This morning, over 500 federal, state and local law enforcement officers arrested dozens of Latin Kings members and associates and executed 31 search warrants at 24 locations. As alleged in court documents, the gang uses drug distribution to generate revenue, and engages in violence against witnesses and rival gangs to further its influence and to protect its turf. In one indictment, seventeen members or associates of the Latin Kings, all Indiana based, were charged with racketeering and other offenses. BOSTON (AP) More than 60 members of the Latin Kings have been arrested on federal racketeering, drug and firearms charges, including the leaders of the street gang's East Coast operations, authorities announced Thursday. Gang Unit detectives said Medina Jr. is an Inca within the Palm Beach County chapter of the Latin Kings. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. The Latin Kings are a violent criminal enterprise comprised of thousands of members across the United States. #gallery-1 .gallery-item { Viral cellphone video showed the rapper on the floor of the locker room while three men kicked him. The 26-year-old rapper, whose real name is Daniel Hernandez, was left bruised, bloodied and hospitalized. Charges included conspiracy to violate the Racketeering Influenced Corrupt Organization (RICO) statute to include ten attempted murders, approximately ten assaults and various other acts of violence committed as a result of a prospect initiation, leaking of sensitive information to a non-Latin King member, breaking an organizational rule, retaliation against rival gang members, and for unpaid drug distribution debts. Although the gang is splintered into the original Chicago clique and an east coast set, all members identify as Latin Kings. Please enter valid email address to continue. The indictment alleges that, on Oct. 28, 2014, James shot and killed Hurtado Sr. believing that he was Martin Hurtado Jr., whom James believed was a rival gang member. float: left; This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Discipline is also important to the success of a gang and the Latin Kings are known for their close knit control on their members discipline. #gallery-1 .gallery-caption { A lawyer who represented Cecchetelli in a prior federal case didn't respond to an email seeking comment. Thanks to the hard work of Assistant United States Attorney Amy Hail, and the extraordinary efforts of HSI, DEA, and the Texas DPS, our community is safer. During the course of the conspiracy in June 2019,Nieves requested permission from the state and regional leadership of the gang to assault a relative of a Latin Kings member. GET BREAKING NEWS IN YOUR BROWSER. The three suspects were given bond and put on house arrest. Authorities said Cecchetelli and other gang leaders ran the gang with a Mafia-style hierarchy, with a council of leaders and as many as 11 chapters across Massachusetts alone. The arrest stemmed from a joint law enforcement investigation involving Stamford police, the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the United States Marshals Service, Norwalk Police Department and the state Department of Correction. In 2009, Latin King members struck a rival gang member in the head with a brick, and then brandished a shotgun while stating Im going to kill you over a gang related dispute. The indictment also alleges a conspiracy to possess and distribute five kilograms of cocaine and 100 kilograms of marijuana against all of these same individuals, in addition to Sean Yancey aka Demon, 21 of Gary. Bonavolonta said the gang distributed drugs and shot music videos boasting about their exploits from the New Bedford, Massachusetts, properties while the property owner helped launder money and conceal their operations. Authorities say Shaun Harrison was a full-fledged Latin Kings member who continued his gang activity behind bars, helping the gang try to identify police informants. Also, on October 30, 1997, Fuentes directed Julio Cartagena, now deceased, of Hammond, to kill Edwardo Miranda in Gary as Miranda was believed to have stolen weapons from the Two Six. In a separate indictment involving the Two Six Nation criminal organization, Anthony Laviena, 35, of Staten Island, New York, and Deaundra L. Joshua aka D Ruff, 45, of Gary, Indiana, were charged with murder in aid of racketeering and use of a firearm in connection with a crime of violence. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Many "secret" internal documents of the Latin Kings, both from the Chicago original and the east coast version, were also obtained. The United States Attorney's Office emphasized that an Indictment is merely an allegation and that all persons charged are presumed innocent until, and unless, proven guilty in court. A locked padlock One of the men arrested for allegedly attacking rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine at a South Florida gym was identified by police as a high-ranking Latin Kings gang member. They have pled guilty to that count, and are awaiting sentencing. The two gangs are part of a larger allegiance, the People Nation. "It certainly appears to be a retaliation case," former Miami-Dade Police Sergeant Luis Cristobal, who has worked on street crimes for roughly 30 years, told NBC6. Anthony Uzar, the reputed Stamford Latin Kings member arrested in May during a swing of raids throughout southwestern Connecticut, was sentenced Friday to 37 months in federal prison for possession of a firearm by a felon. Prior to the firearm charge, he had been convicted of second-degree assault. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. } 45.9K subscribers. #gallery-1 img { Then they have the 5 Point Crown. T&A Crips member sentenced to 30 years in prison after killing Bloods gangster who disrespected gang. The Latin Kings are a violent criminal enterprise comprised of thousands of members across the United States. New Video Shows Tekashi 6ix9ine Bloodied After Attack in South Florida LA Fitness, Rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine Hospitalized in South Florida After Being Attacked in LA Fitness, Man Found Guilty of Murder in 2017 Plantation Love Triangle Killing, Check Your Change! These cases are the result of the investigative efforts of; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the East Chicago Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Gary Police Department, the Hammond Police Department, the Lake County, Indiana, Sheriffs Department and Lake County High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area officers and agents. 6ix9ine's attorney did not return NBC6's requests for comment Friday. Separately, in 2017, Nieves admitted to sending a coded message to a Latin King member in the Massachusetts prison system directing violence to be taken against a certain individual who was also incarcerated. border: 2px solid #cfcfcf; width: 33%; The sentencing of these 33 violent Latin King gang members sends a clear message to all who engage in violent criminal activity: DEA and our law enforcement partners will bring them to justice, no matter where they are or how long it takes, stated DEA Special Agent in Charge Whipple, Houston Field Office. The Two Six Nation indictment is being worked in conjunction with the United States Department of Justice, Criminal Division, Organized Crime and Gang Section. BOSTON A former leader of the Lowell Chapter of the Massachusetts Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation (Latin Kings) pleaded guilty Thursday to racketeering charges. Official websites use .govA .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. He is currently The Sun's enterprise editor, overseeing major projects and day-to-day newsroom operations. ( Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. WebThis paper provides information on the genesis of the Latin Kings, its symbols, the chapter infrastructure, a statistical profile of the typical Latin King members, the female auxiliary A locked padlock The Latin Kings have also grown to become the largest gang in Massachusetts prisons, with an estimated 400 members, including leaders who face charges for continuing to coordinate criminal activity outside the prison, authorities said. ), the defendants conspired to carry out unlawful acts including attempted murder, assault with a dangerous weapon, extortion, robbery, various firearms offenses and drug distribution involving marijuana, cocaine and methamphetamine. The indictment alleges that these defendants were members of various Latin Kings factions in Hammond, East Chicago and Gary. The Lake County Prosecutors Office also has provided assistance. Todays indictments are the latest in our ongoing enforcement effort to eliminate these criminal organizations from Northwest Indiana. HAMMOND United States Attorney David Capp announced two additional indictments in the ongoing effort against criminal street gangs in Northwest Indiana. U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Indiana, Latin King and Two Six Nation Gangs Indicted, Mishawaka Man Sentenced to 46 Months in Prison, Gary Man Sentenced to 51 Months in Prison, South Bend Man Sentenced to 36 Months in Prison. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Authorities also seized dozens of firearms, thousands of dollars worth of cash, drugs and vehicles and three properties in the crackdown. He was arrested May 12 at his home on Frederick Street as part of a sweeping raid in which local and federal authorities seized more than 100 guns and arrested 17 reputed gang members and their associates. In 2012, Latin King Members attempted to murder a rival gang member by shooting at individuals standing in front a residence, causing a non-gang member to be hit by a stray bullet. In 2009, Latin King Members conspired to shoot a rival gang member in retaliation for the stabbing of a Latin King member and supplied the gun for the retaliatory shooting. Tekashi 6ix9ine was taken to a local hospital after he was attacked in the sauna of a South Florida gym, according to the rapper's attorney. Their full title is Almighty Latin Kings Nation, so it is very common to see the letters ALKN tattooed somewhere on a gang members body. HSI will continue to stand united with local, state and federal law enforcement partners to dismantle these criminal organizations in an effort to protect our communities., These federal prison sentences sends a clear message that the FBI and our law enforcement partners will continue to work diligently to disrupt and dismantle gangs and rid our streets of these criminals and the violence associated with their activities, said FBI Special Agent in Charge Combs. He also said Thursday's indictment includes a former Boston high school dean already serving a prison sentence for shooting a student he'd recruited to deal drugs in the school. Members subscribe to the group's religious Secure .gov websites use HTTPS The Almighty Latin Kings and Queen Nation is considered the oldest and largest predominantly Latino street gang in the country, tracing its roots to the 1960s in Chicago, where authorities say it is still headquartered. An "Inca" is the "1st Krown" of a chapter and is considered to be the "president.". This is for their alleged roles in the killing of Albert Greeny Guzman. What happened to the Taste NY bathrooms on the Taconic? U.S. Attorney Capp stated, We have repeatedly announced that if you are a member of a violent street gang we are coming after you. Uzar's brother Patrick "Pistol" Uzar, 24, is accused of running a gun-trafficking operation and selling firearms, some of them 9-millimeter or AK-style automatic weapons, to a third party. According to court records, the defendants have operated a criminal enterprise in Central Texas for ten years beginning in 2005. NBC6s Heather Walker reports One of the men arrested for allegedly attacking rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine at a South Florida gym was identified by police as a high Almighty Latin King Nation Latin Kings associating with the Motherland faction also identify themselves as Almighty Latin King Nation (ALKN), and make up more than 160 structured chapters operating in 158 cities in 31 states. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. Inside The Life Of A Latin Kings Gang Member Show more. Official websites use .gov The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. They're spirits of loved ones, Lowell High boys tennis players happy to revive the program. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. According to "The However, the motive for the gym assault remains unclear. These significant sentences take dangerous gang members off the streets and weaken the larger illicit organization. In the ensuing years Scott covered many communities in Greater Lowell and Lowell City Hall. The authors advise that Federal prosecution is needed to remove Latin King leaders from the Illinois prisons, where they are still able to administer their gang from behind bars. A total of 22 individuals are named from New Bedford as members of the Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation in the indictment filed by FBI Special Agent The Two-Six case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Nozick and Thomas M. McGrath of the Northern District of Indiana and Trial Attorney Andrew Creighton of the Criminal Divisions Organized Crime and Gang Section. 22K views 3 months ago. BOSTON (AP) More than 60 members of the Latin Kings have been arrested on federal racketeering, drug and firearms charges, including the leaders of the street He was allegedly involved in violent attacks that targeted rivals. Nieves is the 44thdefendant to plead guilty in the case. The Latin Kings are a violent nationwide gang that distributes drugs to generate revenue and engages in violence to further its influence and to protect its turf, Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; and Commissioner Carol Mici of the Massachusetts Department of Correction made the announcement. That individual suffered nonlife threatening injuries. Medina Jr., also known as "King Leo," is "a documented Latin King member and has held a position of high rank within the Latin Kings for several years," investigators said in the court documents. Bonavolonta said the multi-year investigation involved an informant who infiltrated the gang's high level meetings. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. Secure .gov websites use HTTPSA lock ( InDecember 2019, a federal grand jury returned an indictment alleging racketeering conspiracy, drug conspiracy and firearms charges against 62 leaders, members and associates of the Latin Kings. Orlando Santiago-Torres, a former member of the Latin Kings gang, was sentenced to over 12 years in prison. Others face gun possession charges. All Rights Reserved. His son, 23-year-old Octavious Medina, and 25-year-old Anthony Maldonado were also arrested, according to the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office. This paper reviews the history, characteristics, and threat of the Latin Kings, a gang that began in Chicago more than three decades ago and now has influence in 34 States. The three-page list of rules for the Latin Kings street gang was quite serious though. LockA locked padlock Christopher Scott has been a member of the Sun staff since 1981, when he was a journalism student at Northeastern University. Attorneys Philip A. Mallard and Lauren Graber of Mendells Criminal Division are prosecuting the case. The Latin Kings are a Hispanic gang based out of Chicago. In 2010, Latin King Members assaulted a rival gang member by beating him, striking him with a beer bottle, and stabbing him. 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More than 60 members of the Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation commonly known as the Latin Kings are facing federal charges after the FBI and other Official websites use .gov "Just because they are from different gangs or different sets or cliques, doesnt mean they dont work together," Cristobal said. U.S. Senior District Court Judge Rya W. Zobel scheduled sentencing for July 21. In taking advantage of political corruption, the gang fits the more classic pattern of organized crime. The overall threat rating notes that the Latin Kings are a Level Three gang organization; the gang is a centralized, authoritarian, violent formal organization complete with a written constitution and by-laws. Domestic Cannabis Suppression / Eradication Program, Red Ribbon Toolkit - Resources For Your Community, DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, Intelligence Research Specialist Job Announcements, Schedule A Hiring Authority: Intelligence Research Specialist, Privacy Impact Assessment and Management Information Systems, Victim Witness Assistance Program Resources. Assistant U.S. This paper reviews the history, characteristics, and threat of the Latin Kings, a gang that began in Chicago more than three decades ago and now has influence in 34 States. The primary source of information for this report was from cooperative gang members. An official website of the United States government. /* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */, Its easier to shear a sheep than raise a lamb to sheep-hood. There were 54 people apprehended Thursday, of which nine were already in custody and eight others are still being sought in an predawn raid that included more than 500 law enforcement officers, he said. The members of the group are The indictment alleges that, on or about October 6, 1999, Laviena and Joshua shot and killed Guzman for the purpose of maintaining and enhancing their positions within the gang. } ), San Antonio Chapter Inca Joe Pierce (aka Dro) (252 mos.) / CBS Boston. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The RICO conspiracy charge provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. ___This story has been updated to correct the number of arrests to more than 60, instead of more than 90. Maldonado was a member of the gym and brought the Medinas in as his guests, the court documents said. The primary source of information for this report was from cooperative gang members. BOSTON A former leader of the Lowell Chapter of the Massachusetts Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation (Latin Kings) pleaded guilty Thursday to Gold is supposed to represent like Life for the members. WebThe Latin Kings and Queens Nation is primary spread in Illinois, Texas, and Florida and of course in New York and Chicago. Anthony Uzar, the reputed Stamford Latin Kings member arrested in May during a swing of raids throughout southwestern Connecticut, was sentenced Friday to 37 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. In 2010, Latin King Members used two females to lure two rival gang members to a residence where they were stabbed, punched, kicked, and beaten with a baseball bat. and Uvalde Chapter Incas James Marty Long (aka Whiteboy) (264 mos.) The indictment also accused Uzar and others of being involved in the distribution of cocaine and Ecstasy. DEL RIO, Tx -A federal judge has sentenced 33 members and associates of the Austin, San Antonio and Uvalde Chapters of the Latin Kings Central Region of Texas from 45 to 288 months in federal prison for their roles in racketeering scheme, announced Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Steven S. Whipple, U.S. Attorney Gregg N. Sofer, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent in Charge Shane Folden, FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, Texas Department of Public Safety (TXDPS) Director Steven McCraw, and Uvalde Police Chief Daniel Rodriguez. Alfred Nieves, a/k/a King Alfy, 33, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to conducting enterprise affairs through a pattern of racketeering activity, more commonly referred to as RICO conspiracy. This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. The Illinois State prison system currently lacks the capability to deal with such hard-core gang leaders who know how to use their "inmate rights" to continue to administer their gang even while incarcerated. The Latin Kings gang has a variety of rituals that members must participate in, from celebrating specific holidays to various gang signs they use. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Departments renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorneys Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime. They say the leadership approach has become a model for other Latin Kings regions in the country. In addition, the Two Six Nation indictment alleges two more homicides committed by Two Six members in furtherance of this criminal organization. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. "It will be extremely difficult for the gang to regroup in the region.". His lawyer from his prior criminal case didn't respond to a call seeking comment Thursday. WebInside The Life Of A Latin Kings Gang Member. The Latin King members commemorate three times throughout the year. According to law enforcement, the Bloods and the Latin Kings have "a rich history" of being allies. Have a question about Government Services? Xavier Valentin-Soto, King X. It alleges that the following individuals were participants in a racketeering conspiracy that involved murder, attempted murder, aggravated battery, kidnapping, sex trafficking and narcotics distribution: Anton Lamont James aka Ghost, 19, of Hammond; Jason Christopher Brown aka Midnight, 21, of Merrillville; Rodolfo Carlos Flores aka Big Head, 29, of Hammond; Francisco Gamez aka Frank Nitti, 30, of Portage; Joseph Uvalle aka Little Foot, 33, of Crown Point; Pierre Java Forest aka Joker, 21, of Harvey, IL; Keith Trevor Manuel aka Smiley, 26, of Gary; Aldon Perez aka Spooky, 20, of Hammond; Jose Antonio Sanchez aka Sly, 26, of Hammond; Julian Robert Rebeles aka King Porky, 24, of Hammond; Mario Resendiz aka Spank, Rio, 23, of East Chicago; Alberto Tirado aka B Murda, 25, of East Chicago; Raymond Fazekas aka Pirate, 26, of Lake Station. And among the misspelled words was a reference to punishing members who shot innocent "by-standards." These Valuable Pennies Are Worth Thousands, American Airlines Pilots Vote to Authorize Strike Amid Contract Negotiations, DeSantis Signs Bills to Allow Death Penalty in Child Rapes, Crack Down on Fentanyl, Miami Juror in Historic Death Penalty TrialExplains Life in Prison Verdict. A lock ( Gangs that have more Mexicans have 3 points. Subscribe. Most face federal racketeering charges for allegedly trafficking drugs, laundering money and committing assaults, robberies and other violent crimes and conspiring to commit more than ten murders. None of 6ix9ine's injuries were life-threatening, but court documents stated a security guard at his gated community said the rapper was worried the men will continue to hurt him. He has won numerous awards for investigative and breaking news reporting. Uzar, whose brother, father and uncle were also swept up in the raid, faced a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. text-align: center; A lock ( This paper provides information on the genesis of the Latin Kings, its symbols, the chapter infrastructure, a statistical profile of the typical Latin King members, the female auxiliary unit, gang allies and enemies, financial records, and threat rating. Another cellphone video showed 6ix9ine appearing to reenter the gym after the attack, with no shoes on and blood dripping down his face.

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