Others face gun possession charges. Gang Unit detectives said Medina Jr. is an Inca within the Palm Beach County chapter of the Latin Kings. This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. Official websites use .gov The Latin Kings are a Hispanic gang based out of Chicago. Violent gangs like the Latin Kings are made up of members who wake up each and every day intent on committing violence, dealing drugs, breaking our laws and threatening our social fabric. 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. Only 166 Latin Kings were registered as inmates by the Florida Department of Corrections in 1997. Main Office: #gallery-1 img { The Latin Kings gang has a variety of rituals that members must participate in, from celebrating specific holidays to various gang signs they use. December 5, 2019 / 5:05 PM Latin Kings: Springfield Latin Kings gangster King Legend sentenced to 10 years in prison New Bedford Latin Kings member gets over 8 years in prison for racketeering involving shooting, beatings 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 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. Authorities also seized dozens of firearms, thousands of dollars worth of cash, drugs and vehicles and three properties in the crackdown. / CBS Boston. 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 Head coach, several players out at Albany Empire after pay issues, USS Slater kept afloat by shrinking number of volunteers, Bride dies at beach when speeding DUI driver slams golf cart, Saratoga Springs firefighters want chief out. A week after that incident, Jasmine McMichael, 22, of East Chicago was arrested and charged for her participation in the same confrontation. A locked padlock Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy M. Hail prosecuted this case on behalf of the government. We tallied the votes from this years Best of the Capital Region contest in 100 categories. 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. #gallery-1 .gallery-caption { 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. The remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. 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! Communities and neighborhoods which this gang has impacted through drug dealing and violence deserve to be able to peacefully go about their daily lives without fear.. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. In 2009, Latin King Members engaged in a fistfight with rival gang members at a gas station and during that fight one of the Latin King members drove a vehicle into a group of rival gang members. 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. He has also been a general assignment and political reporter. He has won numerous awards for investigative and breaking news reporting. WebThere were at least 30,000 gangs and 800,000 gang members active across the US in 2007, and an estimated 1.4 million in 33,000 gangs in 2011. Maldonado was a member of the gym and brought the Medinas in as his guests, the court documents said. 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. WebThe Latin Kings, abbreviated TLK, was a Swedish hip hop group from the municipality of Botkyrka in the southern suburbs of Stockholm, Sweden.. WebThe Latin Kings and Queens Nation is primary spread in Illinois, Texas, and Florida and of course in New York and Chicago. Uzar, 27, of Stamford, known as "Ant" and "Hollywood," pleaded guilty to the charge on June 15 before a federal judge in New Haven. The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. 33 Latin King Members and associates convicted and sentenced to lengthy federal prison terms for racketeering offenses. This count carries over unchanged from the first indictment. 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, 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 The Latin Kings was formed in the 1950s in Chicago and is one of the largest Hispanic and Latino street gangs in the world. Lock The three-page list of rules for the Latin Kings street gang was quite serious though. What happened to the Taste NY bathrooms on the Taconic? 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. Lock } ___This story has been updated to correct the number of arrests to more than 60, instead of more than 90. He allegedly acquired the firearms from relatives and fellow members of the Latin Kings branch in Stamford, according to a 20-count indictment issued in federal court. 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. text-align: center; Among those arrested is Michael Cecchetelli, a 40-year-old Springfield, Massachusetts resident with ties to the Genovese crime family who oversaw the gang's operations from Massachusetts down to Florida, according to Joseph Bonavolonta, head of the FBI's Boston office. In a separate indictment, two additional members of the Two Six Nation were indicted for murder in aid of racketeering. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. BOSTON A former leader of the Lowell Chapter of the Massachusetts Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation (Latin Kings) pleaded guilty Thursday to Its either a 3 or 5 point Crown.It depends on the gang. A locked padlock Northern District of Indiana The five pointseach point stands for something. An official website of the United States government. } Colors & Hand Signs in the Latin Kings. All Rights Reserved. Tejada pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy and admitted he was a Latin Kings Regional Officer for South Florida and former head of the gang's Broward tribe. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS 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. 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. 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. Authorities say the Stamford Chapter of the Latin Kings held weekly meetings in the apartment, where police seized a Remington 12-gauge shotgun, shotgun shells and 9-millimeter ammunition. and Uvalde Chapter Incas James Marty Long (aka Whiteboy) (264 mos.) 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. Anthony Uzar, the reputed Stamford Latin Kings member arrested in May during a swing of raids throughout southwestern Connecticut, was sentenced Friday to 37 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 /* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */, Its easier to shear a sheep than raise a lamb to sheep-hood. In the ensuing years Scott covered many communities in Greater Lowell and Lowell City Hall. The coded message was intercepted and deciphered by investigators. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. Orlando Santiago-Torres, a former member of the Latin Kings gang, was sentenced to over 12 years in prison. Back in 2019, 6ix9ine testified against his own gang, the Nine Trey Gangsta Bloods, for a reduced prison sentence in a racketeering case. 22K views 3 months ago. So its like Love, Unity, Knowledge, Respect and Honesty. It does not matter how old you are or when your criminal conduct occurred, you are next.. and Jacob Mariscal (aka Righteous) (250 mos. In addition Melinda Milton, 35, of East Chicago and Joseph Uvalle were charged with various counts of sex trafficking by fraud or coercion and interstate transportation for prostitution. 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. 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. 443. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. They have pled guilty to that count, and are awaiting sentencing. 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. According to law enforcement, the Bloods and the Latin Kings have "a rich history" of being allies. The gangs that have more Puerto Ricans use the 5 point Crown., The existence of so much symbolism in gang iconography is part of the bonding of the gang. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The indictment alleges that these defendants were members of various Latin Kings factions in Hammond, East Chicago and Gary. These significant sentences take dangerous gang members off the streets and weaken the larger illicit organization. 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. The 26-year-old rapper, whose real name is Daniel Hernandez, was left bruised, bloodied and hospitalized. Surveillance video shows them heading straight to the locker room and leaving with a pair of tennis shoes a few minutes later. 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. width: 33%; Simply put, they cannot be allowed to run unchecked in our streets, stated U.S. Attorney Sofer. The sentences announced today ensure that these gang members will no longer be in a position to shoot, rob, extort or peddle poison in the Western District of Texas.. float: left; Secure .gov websites use HTTPSA lock ( Court documents said the rapper later told deputies that the suspects also stole his white Balenciaga tennis shoes, iPhone and the key fob to his Lamborghini. They're spirits of loved ones, Lowell High boys tennis players happy to revive the program. } In addition, the Two Six Nation indictment alleges two more homicides committed by Two Six members in furtherance of this criminal organization. And black is supposed to be their blackness absorbing the other rival gangs. Another cellphone video showed 6ix9ine appearing to reenter the gym after the attack, with no shoes on and blood dripping down his face. LockA locked padlock 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. 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 lawyer who represented Cecchetelli in a prior federal case didn't respond to an email seeking comment. He is currently The Sun's enterprise editor, overseeing major projects and day-to-day newsroom operations. According to "The Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. His lawyer from his prior criminal case didn't respond to a call seeking comment Thursday. 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. 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. 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. 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. DEL RIO, Tx - A federal judge has HSI, FBI, DEA, TXDPS and the Uvalde Police Department investigated this case. #gallery-1 { Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Alleged Latin Kings member Anthony Uzar sentenced to 37 months in prison, Here are your picks for the Best of the Capital Region 2023. 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. 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 Latin Kings Prison Gang Profile & Structure - InfoTracer The indictment also accused Uzar and others of being involved in the distribution of cocaine and Ecstasy. "Just because they are from different gangs or different sets or cliques, doesnt mean they dont work together," Cristobal said. 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. 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. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. 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. 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. Gangs that have more Mexicans have 3 points. On January 5, 1991, Jesus Fuentes, who recently plead guilty in federal court to racketeering, and others shot an killed Miguel Fernandez, a Latin King member, in East Chicago during an attempted robbery. The Two Six Nation indictment is being worked in conjunction with the United States Department of Justice, Criminal Division, Organized Crime and Gang Section. Latin 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. 2019 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Official websites use .govA .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The Latin King members commemorate three times throughout the year. Although they have many allies they are still the third GET BREAKING NEWS IN YOUR BROWSER. Sign up for NBC South Florida newsletters. Uzar, whose brother, father and uncle were also swept up in the raid, faced a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. margin-top: 10px; The Villains. The virtues expressed by this symbolism suggest a strict discipline if not moralism, although this may be relative to who they are interacting. SAC Joe Bonavolonta, US Attorney Andy Lelling & MA DOC Commissioner Carol Mici announce charges against 62 leaders & members of the Almighty Latin King & Queen Nation in MA, RI, CT & NJ in connection with 'Operation Throne Down,' the largest takedown in #FBI Boston's history. And among the misspelled words was a reference to punishing members who shot innocent "by-standards." Under the leadership of Texas-Central Region Inca Pete Perez in Austin (188 mos. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. Official websites use .gov WebLatin kings, Latin Kings, or The Latin Kings may refer to: Kings of Alba Longa, a series of legendary kings of Alba Longa, an ancient city in Latium, or their predecessors. The Lake County Prosecutors Office also has provided assistance. Valuable assistance was also provided by the FBI North Shore Gang Task Force and the Suffolk County District Attorneys Offices. Their most famous symbol is likely the five-point crown, which often appears as a tattoo. In 2008, Latin King Members assaulted a rival gang member by beating about his head, face and body with rocks, bats, and glass bottles. Then they have the 5 Point Crown. 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. In one indictment, seventeen members or associates of the Latin Kings, all Indiana based, were charged with racketeering and other offenses. 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. The membership in Chicago is estimated to be 20,000 to 35,000. [27] The Chicago faction of the Latin Kings is recognized as one of the largest Hispanic street gangs in the United States after the Sureos and Norteos, as well as MS-13 and the 18th Street gang, and one of the largest street gangs based in Chicago. [28] A lock ( Secure .gov websites use HTTPS 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. [1] [2] [3] About 900,000 gang 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. The two gangs are part of a larger allegiance, the People Nation. WebInside The Life Of A Latin Kings Gang Member. 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. margin: auto; 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. 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. 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. An official website of the United States government. 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. According to court records, the defendants have operated a criminal enterprise in Central Texas for ten years beginning in 2005. What do Latin Kings call themselves? The Latin King indictment charges 17 members and associates with a criminal conspiracy that spanned a time period from 2003 until November 2015. The Latin Kings are a violent criminal enterprise comprised of thousands of members across the United States. 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. "This affects future prosecutions of future cases where witnesses may be testifying against different subjects," Cristobal said. 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. 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. WebLatin King gang members rally to show their solidarity with their leader, Luis Felipe during his federal trial in November of 1996 outside the a hispanic young man with facial hair wearing a vest with excessive jewelry stares at the camera - hispanic gang stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images The gang's operations also stretched into New York, New Jersey and Maryland. The size of the gang and its penetration of communities outside of its epicenter, along with its propensity for violence, qualify it for an "8" on a 10-point scale of threat severity. 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. Many "secret" internal documents of the Latin Kings, both from the Chicago original and the east coast version, were also obtained. ), 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. 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 All rights reserved. An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice. 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. 6ix9ine's attorney did not return NBC6's requests for comment Friday. Xavier Valentin-Soto, King X. 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. The Latin Kings are believed to have about 900 more members outside prison including 500 in Central Florida, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. #gallery-1 .gallery-item { In 2010, Latin King Members assaulted a rival gang member by beating him, striking him with a beer bottle, and stabbing him. border: 2px solid #cfcfcf; The three suspects were given bond and put on house arrest. 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. Size and Ethnic Origin. The Latin Kings and Queens Nation is primary spread in Illinois, Texas, and Florida and of course in New York and Chicago. Although they have many allies they are still the third largest gang in Chicago and people say that it is the biggest and most influential Latino gang in the world. 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. 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. As stated during the plea hearing, Nieves served as the Inca, or leader, of the Lowell Chapter of the Latin Kings. Appended transcription of the internal records of the Albany Park Chapter of the Latin Kings for a 6-month period in 1990, 2 figures, and 13 notes, Territories Financial Support Center (TFSC), Tribal Financial Management Center (TFMC). 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.
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