The Latin Kings are a violent criminal enterprise comprised of thousands of members across the United States. Worcester:508-368-0100. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Federal court documents detail how law enforcement spent four years infiltrating the gang, recording high-level conversations through informants and scouring social media for posts implicating any of its members in crimes. He developed a leadership approach to the gang which has become a model for other Latin Kings regions of the country. All of the remaining 60 defendants have pleaded guilty and have been sentenced or are awaiting sentencing. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS In the old days, receiving a key to the city actually opened some physical doors. U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Massachusetts, Defendant instructed Latin Kings members to attack rival gang members, Former Leader of New Bedford Latin Kings Chapter Sentenced for Racketeering and Cocaine Conspiracy, Fitchburg Man Pleads Guilty to Wide-Ranging Cocaine Conspiracy, Boston Man Sentenced for Cambridge Bank Robbery, Leader of Boston Drug Trafficking Organization Pleads Guilty to Heroin and Fentanyl Conspiracy and Possessing a Firearm in Furtherance of Distribution Activities, Former Leader of New Bedford Latin Kings Chapter Sentenced For Racketeering and Cocaine Conspiracy. The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. In November 2020, Lugo pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine base. Have a question about Government Services? Those of Thursdays arrests that happened in Massachusetts were in Boston, Lowell, Springfield, Fitchburg, Chelsea, New Bedford, and Worcester. Bonavolonta said law enforcement learned of the gangs planned violence over and over throughout the investigation. Bedford Who Charity Con 8 is being held this month and offering 10% off tickets for readers of Doctor Who News. Court documents indicate law enforcement used at least three confidential sources. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. United States Attorney Carmen Ortiz; Richard DesLauriers, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Colonel Marian J. McGovern, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; C. Samuel Sutter, Bristol County District Attorney; Chief David A. Provencher of the New Bedford Police Department; Josh Wall, Chairman of the Massachusetts Parole Board; and Thomas M. Hodgson, Bristol County Sheriff made the announcement today. A locked padlock Official websites use .gov Joe Bonavolonta, special agent in charge of the FBIs Boston division, said it was the largest takedown in the divisions history. BOSTON A Fitchburg man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Worcester to his role in a wide-ranging fentanyl, heroin, crack and cocaine trafficking conspiracy. Figueroa is featured in numerous rap videos under the name, Almighty King Pun, where he discusses various Latin Kings racketeering activity. Santiago-Torres is the current Cacique of the New Bedford Chapter of the Latin Kings. New Bedford Latin Kings: Who they are and what they've done Jerry Boggs jboggs@s-t.com A total of 22 individuals are named from New Bedford as members of the Almighty Latin King and Queen. According to the office,Vasquez also admitted totaking part in a May 2018 double shooting in which Latin Kings members chased the victims to a vehicle, then surrounded it and slashed their tires. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS All rights reserved. The Latin Kings are a violent criminal enterprise comprised of thousands of members across the United States. Just two months later, in September 2019, he and other gang members shot and struck a victim with a gun later found in Santiago-Torres' apartment. The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. Time after time, we uncovered their planning of brazen acts of violence against those who ran afoul of the gangs manifesto and constitution, he said. Mendez admitted that these victims were targeted because one of the victims previously objected to Latin Kings members conducting drug transactions in the victims driveway. Statement of Mayor Jon Mitchell on federal raids in Massachusetts cities including New Bedford: I am grateful for the work of the U.S. Attorneys Office, along with the FBI and state and local law enforcement agencies, in undertaking such a comprehensive effort to neutralize the activities of the Latin Kings across New England. Among 11 active Latin Kings chapters in Massachusetts, New Bedford was singled out in the affidavit for its "extremely. The East Coast and Massachusetts leadership of the Almighty Latin Kings and Queen Nation (Latin Kings), including more than 60 members and associates, face federal charges. Contact Us- Overview- Territory/Jurisdiction, News and Outreach- Press Room | Stories- In Your Community, About Us- Our People & Capabilities- What We Investigate- Our Partnerships- Boston History, This content has been reproduced from its. Medina is the current Enforcer of the New Bedford Chapter of the Latin Kings. RUIZ is also featured in a number of YouTube videos with other members of the New Bedford Chapter depicting her wearing gang colors, and flashing gang signs. Springfield:413-785-0235 Of the 62 charged defendants in the raid, two remain in warrant status. Mendez was a member of the New Bedford Chapter of the Latin Kings and as such he participated in the drug distribution activities that were based in multi-unit apartment buildings, known as trap houses that the Latin Kings controlled in the northern section of New Bedford. District of Massachusetts 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. Robert Avitabile, known as Bobby, admitted to his association with the Latin Kings in federal court on Tuesday, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. BOSTON A New Hampshire man has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Boston for the allegedly committing a string of five bank robberies across Northern Massachusetts. Your email address will not be published. I wanna see whose guns defend him now. Investigators believe that the term eat refers to inflicting physical violence, and has been used by other Latin Kings members in that regard. BOSTON A former leader of the New Bedford Chapter of the Massachusetts Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation (Latin Kings) was sentenced today on racketeering and drug charges. Specifically, in August 2019, she conspired with others to obtain cocaine base from members of the Latin Kings in New Bedford for resale. The following individuals were arrested this morning and have been charged with state narcotics violations: 1) Jose Vale, 53, of New Bedford2) Tyrone Singleton, 39, of New Bedford3) Carl Robinson, 47, of New Bedford4) Irvin Olivero, 24, of New Bedford5) Michael Santos, 32, of New Bedford6) Diane Raposo, 33, of New Bedford7) Matthew Wilson, 26, of New Bedford8) Jason Chumack, 40, of New Bedford9) Sandra Torres, 39, of New Bedford, 1) Juvenile, 16, of New Bedford2) Michael Waldron, 34, of New Bedford3) Shane Valez, 23, of New Bedford4) Lizette Brown, 44, of New Bedford5) April Rose, 43, of New Bedford6) Evandro Martins, 25, of New Bedford7) Sunilda Ruiz, 46, of New Bedford8) Beinbenido Baez, 20, of New Bedford9) Yoneel Pagan, 19, of New Bedford10) Tavon Thomas, 21, of New Bedford11) Robert Woodard, 35, of New Bedford12) Anthony Douglas, 28, of New Bedford13) Meagan Cordeiro, 26, of New Bedford14) Curtis Britto, 23, of New Bedford15) Ronald Gonzalezstone, 32, of New Bedford16) Tanairy Ruiz, 24, of New Bedford17) William Figueroa, 30, of New Bedford18) Jerry Morales-Perez, 29, of New Bedford19) Luis Lopez, 27, of New Bedford. 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 Dominic Coppo. In December 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. The Latin Kings adhere to a national manifesto, employ an internal judiciary and use a sophisticated system of communication to maintain the hierarchy of the organization. Nowadays, it's more for opening figurative ones. Worcester:508-368-0100. The charge stemmed from a February incident in which a victim told police that a total of six people assaulted him and stole approximately $600 from his wallet. Two missing children, boys 14 and 16, were also recovered during the operation. Learn how your comment data is processed. 1 Courthouse Way, Suite 9200 Dozens of firearms, including machine guns and sawed-off shotguns, were seized, as well as six cars, six motorcycles, three jet skis, an ATV, various drugs, and about $38,000 in cash. Both victims fled in the vehicle and survived. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, there are 11 active Latin Kings chapters in Massachusetts. On Nov. 3, 2021, Mendez pleaded guilty to conspiracy to conduct enterprise affairs through a pattern of racketeering activity, more commonly referred to as RICO conspiracy. An official website of the United States government. 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. SNY. The charge of felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition provides a sentence of up to 10 years, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. BOSTON A Boston man has been sentenced for robbing a TD Bank branch in Cambridge. Rodriguez faces up to 20 years in prison, a fine of no more than $250,000, and up to three years of supervised release. Restaurants near New King, Amsterdam on Tripadvisor: Find traveler reviews and candid photos of dining near New King in Amsterdam, North Holland Province. In 2010, law enforcement began to see an increase in street-level drug sales and violence in areas of the city known to be occupied by the Latin Kings. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. 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 Dominic Coppo. Defendant agrees to forfeit three apartment buildings in New Bedford BOSTON - A former landlord and associate of the New Bedford Chapter of the Massachusetts Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation (Latin Kings) was sentenced today for racketeering and drug offenses. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. Court documents detail years of gang members conspiring to kill snitches, organizing for prisoners to be attacked via coded letters, and running a robust drug trafficking organization. Vasquez had pleaded guilty to the federal racketeering charges in July 2021. .hide-if-no-js { Springfield:413-785-0235 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. BOSTON A Boston man has been sentenced for robbing a TD Bank branch in Cambridge. Three houses in New Bedford were seized that Bonavolonta said the Latin Kings were using as trap houses to store and sell illegal narcotics, stash firearms, and shoot music videos posting about their love of violence.. Following the shooting, Mendez discussed the incident on a court-authorized wiretap and advised the shooter that the victims would not be coming to court due to the efforts of the Latin Kings to intimidate them. SportsNet New York ( SNY) is an American regional sports network owned by Sterling Entertainment Enterprises, LLC, itself a joint venture between the Fred Wilpon (which owns a controlling 65% interest) Sterling Equities, Charter Communications through its acquisition of Time Warner Cable in May 2016 (which owns 27%) and Comcast, through . Luis Mendez, a/k/a King Primo, 41, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge Rya W. Zobel to 100 months in prison, with credit for time served in related state cases, and three years of supervised release. A locked padlock 1 Courthouse Way, Suite 9200 Blocks away from a New Bedford charter school, Latin Kings members cooked crack cocaine, collected guns, shot at rivals and shot music videos where they boasted about their criminal. The stations are commonly used as a mini pilgrimage as the individual moves from station to station. Boston Office: The Latin Kings are known to sell cocaine, fentanyl and heroin. Now, 48 years later, officials have identified the 'Lady of the Dunes. US Department of Justice A former member of the New Bedford Chapter of the Massachusetts Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation pleaded guilty this week to racketeering charges, but she won't be sentenced for another year. Shortly after the shooting, Paris was captured on a recording made by a cooperating witness admitting to shooting at the rival gang members and firing eight shots but not striking anyone. Here are descriptions from his bios of the city players: Jose Rodriguez is the current Inca for the New Bedford Chapter of The Latin Kings, and is the brother of Jorge Rodriguez and Roberto Vargas. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. The Latin Kings adhere to a national manifesto, employ an internal judiciary and use a sophisticated system of communication to maintain the hierarchy of the organization. King K-Milly, 19, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to conduct enterprise affairs through a pattern of racketeering activity, more commonly referred to as RICO conspiracy. Guadalupe is a current member of the New Bedford Chapter of the Latin Kings. U.S. Senior District Court Judge Rya W. Zobel scheduled sentencing for June 10, 2021. Ines Lugo is the 16thdefendant to be sentenced in the case. The convention is being held this year on Saturday 18th March in The King's House, Bedford, about 50 miles north of London. The state defendants will be prosecuted by District Attorney Sutters Office. December 26, 2019. In New Bedford, the Latin Kings ran a vast cocaine base distribution network that used multi-unit apartment buildings known as "trap houses" to distribute the narcotics, a press release. Attorneys Emily Cannon and Philip Mallard of Lellings Organized Crime and Gang Unit are prosecuting the cases. Jorge is a current member of the New Bedford Chapter of the Latin Kings. Having taken out most of the leadership, its extremely difficult for the gang to regroup in this region and time soon, he said. However, there are actually quite a few museums throughout New Bedford for a wide range of interests. Several arrested members of the so-called Latin Kings street gang have been released on bail in New Bedford and local law enforcement officials are not pleased. Attorneys Philip A. Mallard and Lauren Graber of Mendells Criminal Division prosecuted the case. Over 60 Members of Latin Kings Charged, 23 from New Bedford. Served 20 years in the United States Air Force. Other videos were shot at locations where Latin Kings members were murdered and feature threats to other gangs, court documents say. Assistant U.S. The Latin Kings adhere to a national manifesto, employ an internal judiciary, and use a sophisticated system of communication to maintain the hierarchy of the criminal organization. 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. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. BOSTON ( 1420 WBSM) The former landlord associated with the New Bedford chapter of the Latin Kings who owned the "trap houses" used for their drug activity was sentenced today in federal court for racketeering and drug offenses. During that incident, multiple Latin Kings members chased the two victims to a vehicle, surrounded the vehicle, and slashed their tires. Boston Office: 3 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 total, 62 alleged gang members were charged nine of which were already in custody and eight of which are now fugitives. At the end of the beating, an item believed to be a wallet or a cell phone was taken from the victims pants pocket. New Bedford Latin Kings: Who they are and what they've done In December 2019, a federal grand jury returned an indictment alleging racketeering conspiracy, drug conspiracy and firearms. Mendez has historically held various leadership positions. 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. One gang member then shot the victims, who escaped in the car and survived. Mendez is the 50thdefendant to be sentenced in the case. During the robbery, which was captured on video, the victim was chased down in the middle of a busy street, thrown to the ground and kicked and beaten by six members of the Latin Kings. 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. She stated that she was present for the assault and when the group was told to eat and they began assaulting the victim, Barboza indicated that she thought that meant her too, and that the other Latin Kings members were holding her back. Valentin-Soto is a member and the former Cacique of the New Bedford Chapter of the Latin Kings. Avitable was a key player in facilitating the Latin Kings expansion in the area, as the apartment buildings provided powerful infrastructure to recruit members and lure vulnerable juveniles to join the gang with the promises of housing and brotherhood, the U.S. Attorneys Office said. The victim was apparently targeted for selling drugs from a source that was not gang-approved. Lock Crime, Latest MLS #. Mendez also participated in a shooting of two victims in May 2018. The charges stem from a long-term investigation into narcotics sales in the area. This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. He also has an open case related to a May 2018 shooting incident. DONT WORRY THE JUDGES WILL LET THEM OFF LIKE EVERY OTHER BUST LIKE THIS. Avitable was also heard on multiple recordings in discussions with gang leaders, including discussing a joint real estate deal with Rodriguez and how he would help launder drug money for the Latin Kings. A February recording captures Barboza and others discussing the beating of an individual. According to a news release from Massachusetts US Attorney's office, Ines Lugo, a/k/a Queen China, 42, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge Rya W. Zobel to time served (approximately 47 days in prison) and three years of supervised release. A Latin Kings lieutenant out of New Bedford who a federal prosecutor said stands out among over 60 defendants for his violent past asked a judge Wednesday to be released amid coronavirus. NEW BEDFORD (CBS) - Forty-six people, many of whom are alleged Latin Kings street gang members, were charged Friday for state and federal drug law violations. The U.S. Attorney's Office said 28-year-old Jose Vasquez, known as "King Fearless," will also spend three years on probation following his release from prison after his sentencing Tuesday. It is alleged that during the investigation, recorded undercover purchases revealed that over the last 18 months, the individuals arrested today sold narcotics in the New Bedford to cooperating witnesses and undercover officers. In December 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. Richard Neals long quest for Trumps tax returns is finished. Lugo admitted that she conspired with other Latin Kings members and leaders to possess cocaine base (also known as crack cocaine) with the intent to distribute it. 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. The properties were used by gang members to hide weapons,. Avitable was originally arrested as part of Operation Throne Down in December 2019, in which 62 suspected Latin Kings and Queens and their associates were arrested, as 31 search warrants were executed at 24 locations including locations in New Bedford at 358 North Front Street and 239 Sawyer Street. Vargas is a current member of the New Bedford Chapter of the Latin Kings.
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