Investigators obtained a series of Facebook messages from January related to the planned beating of an individual who had posted photographs of himself throwing up Latin Kings gang signs, though he is not affiliated with the gang. An official website of the United States government. 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. This has fostered a culture of institutional violence and secrecy. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS December 26, 2019. Two missing children, boys 14 and 16, were also recovered during the operation. Vasquez had pleaded guilty to the federal racketeering charges in July 2021. View this $1800000 4 bed, 3.0 bath, 4875 sqft single family home located at 27 Marcus Garvey Blvd built in 1931 on Zillow. Assistant U.S. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Southeastern Massachusetts Gang Task Force. Richard Neals long quest for Trumps tax returns is finished. A February recording captures Barboza and others discussing the beating of an individual. Angel Roldan, an alleged former cacique for the Latin Kings in Massachusetts,. 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. To get at gang leadership, you almost always need a highly placed cooperating source, he said. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. As alleged in court documents, the gang uses drug distribution to generate revenue, and is motivated by a desire to further its influence and to protect its turf from rival gangs. In October Vasquez was violently terminated from the Latin Kings for violating a gang law forbidding fornication with the girlfriend of another member. He is captured discussing Latin Kings business and affairs and featured in a YouTube video with other members of the New Bedford Chapter depicting her wearing gang colors, and flashing gang signs. They had been targeted because they objected to Latin Kings members dealing drugs in their driveway. Kevin Guadalupe, a.k.a. Cotto is a member of the New Bedford Chapter and former Eastern Massachusetts Regional Officer for the Latin Kings. Here are some things that should be a benefit for the few fortunate enough to receive a key to New Bedford. Criminal activity in the Eastern Region is led by Michael Cecchetelli, a/k/a King Merlin, 40, of Springfield, who holds the title of Supreme East Coast Regional Overseer. Street brawls, beatings, shootings and robberies regularly occurred within, or in front of, the apartment buildings. The government recommended a sentence of 18 months incarceration. 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. Three individuals have also been charged with drug trafficking offenses. New Bedford School Committee Members on Student Protest Against Oliver, New Bedford Mayor, City Councilor Denounce Councilor-Elect Olivers Memes, New Bedfords Hotel Waverly Most Recently Provided Sober Housing, New Bedford LGBTQ Students, Allies Plan Protest Over Olivers Election, Company Behind Former New Bedford Methadone Clinic Proposal Charged With Fraud, New Bedford 2016 Clinton Visit May Have Violated Election Laws, New Bedford Relocating Senior Programs and Adult Day Care, Massachusetts Pandemic SNAP Benefits End March 2. More than 60 Latin Kings members and associates arrested New Bedford Latin Kings bought houses they planned to renovate and flip in an elaborate scheme to launder drug money, feds say a move . 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. DONT WORRY THE JUDGES WILL LET THEM OFF LIKE EVERY OTHER BUST LIKE THIS. Two Latin Kings members had disrespected Michael Cecchetelli, the alleged kingpin of the notorious gang's East Coast operations. Having taken out most of the leadership, its extremely difficult for the gang to regroup in this region and time soon, he said. Paris admitted to his role in a February 2019 shooting of rival gang members and his participation in the Latin Kings drug distribution conspiracy based in the City of New Bedford. The first snowstorm of the New Year delayed a Sunset Park holiday celebration, but not for long. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. 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. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. NEW BEDFORD The owner of multiple apartment buildings used by the New Bedford Latin Kings gang for dealing drugs has pleaded guilty to racketeering and drug conspiracy charges. The United States Attorneys Office for the District of Massachusetts; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Commissioner Carol Mici of the Massachusetts Department of Correction; and New Bedford Police Chief Joseph C. Cordeiro made the announcement. 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 agencies carried out a large-scale. BOSTON - A former member of the New Bedford Chapter of the Massachusetts Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation ("Latin Kings") was sentenced yesterday on racketeering charges. Lelling said nearly all of the East Coast leadership was charged in the sting. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. 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 . Carrasquillo is a current member of the New Bedford Chapter of the Latin Kings. Valuable assistance was also provided by the FBI North Shore Gang Task Force and the Bristol County and Suffolk County District Attorneys Offices. 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. 3 Attorneys Philip A. Mallard and Lauren Graber of Mendells Criminal Division prosecuted the case. Specifically, in August 2019, she conspired with others to obtain cocaine base from members of the Latin Kings in New Bedford for resale. Over 60 Members of Latin Kings Charged, 23 from New Bedford. Both victims fled in the vehicle and survived. An official website of the United States government. BOSTON A Boston man has been indicted in connection with the September 2022 robbery of a bank in Brookline. All the profits from the day are going to be donated to two . OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. = Vasquez is a former member of the New Bedford Chapter of the Latin Kings, and a former enforcer the New Bedford Chapter. This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. 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. Boston Office: BOSTONForty-six individuals, many of whom are alleged to be leaders, members, significant criminal associates, or drug suppliers of the Latin Kings street gang, operating in New Bedford, Massachusetts, were charged today on federal and state drug offenses. In total, 62 alleged gang members were charged nine of which were already in custody and eight of which are now fugitives. 1 Comment. Springfield:413-785-0235 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. Of the 62 charged defendants in the raid, two remain in warrant status. A lock ( 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,. The Latin Kings are a violent criminal enterprise comprised of thousands of members across the United States. 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. BOSTON A former member of the New Bedford Chapter of the Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation (Latin Kings) was sentenced Wednesday on drug conspiracy charges. 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. Have a question about Government Services? Valuable assistance was also provided by the FBI North Shore Gang Task Force and the Bristol County and Suffolk County District Attorneys Offices. The remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. During the four-year investigation, law enforcement developed evidence that the Latin Kings trafficked drugs, conspired to murder more than 10 victims, and committed violent crimes including numerous incidents of robbery, shootings, stabbings and witness intimidation. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. 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. Have a question about Government Services? Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF. Jose Rodriguez, a/k/a "King Stutter," 34, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge Rya W. Zobel to 54 months in prison and three years of supervised release. Crime, Latest Mendez was also present during a December 2018 group assault in a garage, where co-defendant Michael Cotto, a/k/a King Gordo, was captured participating in a group assault of another individual and observed striking the victim with a baseball bat. Criminal activity in the eastern region is alleged to be overseen by 40-year-old Michael Cecchetelli, also known as King Merlin. The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. Three men, including the alleged leader of the Latin Kings' "extremely well-organized and violent" New Bedford chapter, will be arraigned Monday in federal court on racketeering charges as. New Bedford Mayor Mitchell comments on Councillor-elect Olivers posts on transgender rights, New Bedford man arrested by MBTA Police for allegedly attempting to rob passenger, Three arrested in New Bedford carjacking, including juvenile female, Washington D.C. man, Massachusetts man found guilty of felony, misdemeanor charges related to Capitol Breach. Former Latin Kings Crown Council Chairman Angel Rodriguez (King Ace) pled guilty and his sentencing is scheduled for April, according to the United States Attorney's Office for the District of Massachusetts. The 14 devotions, or stations, focus on specific events of His last day, beginning with His condemnation. The Latin Kings are a violent criminal enterprise comprised of thousands of members across the United States. The following individuals have been charged by federal complaint: 17) Jordan Jorge, 20, of New Bedford18) Felicia Timoteo, 20, of New Bedford. Ruizs membership in the Latin Kings has been confirmed by numerous recordings where she is present during discussion of Latin Kings business and affairs, presence at meetings and gatherings with other Latin Kings members, and on social media where she has made postings of Latin Kings signs, symbols and phraseology and posted pictures depicting her with other Latin Kings members. 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. 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. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Depending on the drug quantity, the drug trafficking conspiracy and distribution charges provide for a sentence of up to 20 years, 40 years, or life, a minimum of three, four or five years of supervised release and fines of $1 million, $5 million and $10 million. It puts us a step ahead of them regionally for once.. The RICO conspiracy charge provides a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. 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. Up through the 17th century, the area was the territory of the Wampanoag Native American people. 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. Amsterdam. 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.. Lugo is the current secretary for the New Bedford Chapter of the Latin Kings. 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 agencies carried out a large-scale bust Thursday morning, officials said. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. On January 4, UPROSE, Brooklyn's oldest Latino community based organization, held its first Three . The following individuals were arrested this morning and have been charged with federal narcotics violations: 1) Jouseph Caraballo, 38, of New Bedford2) Juan Serrano, 43, of New Bedford3) Terrill McKissack, 24, of New Bedford4) Raphael Pineda, 23, of New Bedford5) Gabriel Vaszquez, 25, of New Bedford6) Ezequiel Quinones, 39, of New Bedford (fugitive)7) Javier Natal, 22, of New Bedford8) Luis Guerra, 31, of New Bedford9) Giovanni Vale-Valentin, 22, of New Bedford10) Manuel Torres, 20, of New Bedford11) Jesus Carrasquillo, 22, of New Bedford12) Pedro Figueroa, 27, of New Bedford13) Ramon Sanchez, 20, of New Bedford14) Enoe Carrasquillo, 26, of Puerto Rico15) Jesmeil Ortiz, 21, of Puerto Rico (fugitive) 16) Mari Gomez, 43, of New Bedford. Lock 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. Assistant U.S. In November of 2020, Rodriguez was sentenced to 18 years in prison. Members of the gangs East Coast leadership are among those charged, according to authorities. The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. Cecchetelli, a 40-year-old from Springfield with ties to the. A locked padlock Receive the latest news and breaking updates, straight from our newsroom to your inbox. Ines Lugo is the 16thdefendant to be sentenced in the case. The federal cases are being prosecuted by an Assistant United States Attorney in Ortizs Organized Crime and Gang Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip A. Mallard of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit prosecuted the case. 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. One gang member then shot the victims, who escaped in the car and survived. 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. In February 2019, Paris fired multiple gunshots at rival gang members who were observed leaving a Latin Kings trap house. Medina is the current Enforcer of the New Bedford Chapter of the Latin Kings. Listen to: Girlfriends With roots leading back to his hometown of San Francisco, 18-year-old Gibson SG-wielding phenom Asher Belsky was all but predestined to make musical noise. Michael Silvia Felix-Riveras membership in the Latin Kings has been confirmed by numerous recordings where he is present during discussion of Latin Kings business and affairs, on court-authorized interceptions with other Latin Kings members discussing Latin Kings affairs and drug distribution, presence at meetings and gatherings with other Latin Kings members. Valuable assistance was also provided by the FBI North Shore Gang Task Force and the Bristol County and Suffolk County District Attorneys Offices. 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. He pleaded guilty on April 19, 2022 to one count of conspiracy to conduct enterprise affairs through a pattern of racketeering activity, and one count of conspiracy to manufacture, distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base. BOSTON A Boston man has been sentenced for robbing a TD Bank branch in Cambridge. The Latin Kings are a violent criminal enterprise comprised of thousands of members across the United States. 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. The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. 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. A December 2019 operation called "Operation Throne Down" saw 62 Latin Kings leaders, members and associates arrested and indicted for racketeering, drug trafficking, and firearms violations. 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. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found athttps://www.justice.gov/OCDETF. Valentin-Soto is a member and the former Cacique of the New Bedford Chapter of the Latin Kings. The defendants are presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. 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. 1,000 law enforcement officials fan out across New York City and strike what authorities call crippling blow to Latin Kings gang, seizing 94 members and associates--including gang leader Antonio . December 5, 2019 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.