This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. Another Latin Kings member then fired gunshots at the two victims striking them. An official website of the United States government. 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. 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. Assistant U.S. 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. BOSTON A Boston man has been sentenced for robbing a TD Bank branch in Cambridge. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. 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. 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. A violent criminal enterprise with thousands of members across the U.S., the Latin Kings sell drugs to generate revenue and engages in violence against witnesses and rival gangs, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. Vasquez had pleaded guilty to the federal racketeering charges in July 2021. In the old days, receiving a key to the city actually opened some physical doors. 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. Stay up to date with everything Boston. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Police in New Bedford say. The victim reported that Johnson punched and kicked him, and that another Latin Kings member, Hector Torres, punched him and pushed him out of the apartment after they had stolen the cash from his wallet. 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. Served 20 years in the United States Air Force. Lelling said Operation Throne Down prevented at least eight murders. 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. 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. The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. 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. U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Massachusetts, Former Member of New Bedford Latin Kings Sentenced to Over Eight Years in Prison for Racketeering Conspiracy, Boston Man Sentenced for Cambridge Bank Robbery, New Hampshire Man Indicted for Allegedly Robbing Five Massachusetts Banks, Boston Man Indicted for Robbing Brookline Bank, Former Member of New Bedford Latin Kings Sentenced To Over Eight Years In Prison For Racketeering Conspiracy. 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. 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. 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. Lock 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. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. King G, who at the time was second in command of the Latin Kings in Massachusetts. Medina is the current Enforcer of the New Bedford Chapter of the Latin Kings. 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. If you dont have that, its very difficult to get the leaders.. 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. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF. In 2018, Johnson pleaded guilty to larceny from a person and assault and battery by means of dangerous weapon and was sentenced to 1 year in the House of Correction. MLS #. View this $1800000 4 bed, 3.0 bath, 4875 sqft single family home located at 27 Marcus Garvey Blvd built in 1931 on Zillow. 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. 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. 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. 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. Boston, MA 02210, Boston:617-748-3100 Lelling said hes hopeful that the operation quiets the gangs activity on the East Coast. Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; 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 today. Orlando Santiago-Torres, a/k/a KING LANDY. In November 2020, Rodriguez was sentenced to 18 years in prison after pleading guilty to RICO conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute cocaine and cocaine base. Worcester:508-368-0100. 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. Here are descriptions from . The Latin Kings are a violent criminal enterprise comprised of thousands of members across the United States. 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. Follow Boston.com on Instagram (Opens in a New Tab), Follow Boston.com on Twitter (Opens in a New Tab), Like Boston.com on Facebook (Opens in a New Tab). In October was convicted of witness intimidation in New Bedford District Court, and placed on one year of probation. BOSTON A Boston man has been sentenced for robbing a TD Bank branch in Cambridge. 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. Recordings from this year capture a cooperating witness purchasing cocaine from Valentin-Soto. Assistant U.S. A lock ( Guadalupe admitted to participating in an unarmed robbery committed in November 2019 by members of the Latin Kings in New Bedford. The charges stem from a long-term investigation into narcotics sales in the area. Three men, including the leader of the Latin Kings' "extremely well-organized and violent" New Bedford chapter, will be arraigned Monday in federal court on racketeering charges as gang members . Rodriguez and several others were tied to "trap houses" in New Bedford where Latin Kings members hid "nation" guns and drugs, according to the indictment. Both victims fled in the vehicle and survived. Your email address will not be published. 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. According to the U.S. Attorneys Office, Avitable rented apartments to Latin Kings members knowing they would be uses to sell, store and manufacture drugs. Members of the Latin Kings dealt drugs in the trap houses, obtaining their supply of cocaine base from co-defendant, and leader of the New Bedford Chapter of the Latin Kings, Jorge Rodriguez, a/k/a King G. Evidence developed during the course of the investigation included multiple recordings of Latin Kings members cooking cocaine base, directing violence against rival gang members, meting out discipline, and handling firearms used to protect the Latin Kings drug distribution network. 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. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found athttps://www.justice.gov/OCDETF. Massachusetts U.S. Attorney Andrew Lelling said in a press conference that the operation, dubbed Operation Throne Down, was focused on targeting the East Coast leadership of the gang. And in 2021, Belsky released his debut EP, I . SNY. New Bedford (Massachusett: Accushnet) is a city in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States.It is located on the Acushnet River in what is known as the South Coast region. "King K-Milly," 19, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to conduct enterprise affairs through a pattern of racketeering activity, more . Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Commissioner Carol Mici of the Massachusetts Department of Correction; and New Bedford Police Chief Joseph C. Cordeiro made the announcement today. NEW BEDFORD FBI agents and New York Police Department officers raided two locations in the North End of New Bedford Thursday morning as part of a statewide crackdown on the Latin. He also has an open case related to a May 2018 shooting incident. 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. 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. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Valuable assistance was also provided by the FBI North Shore Gang Task Force and the Bristol County and Suffolk County District Attorneys Offices. 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. BOSTON A Boston man has been indicted in connection with the September 2022 robbery of a bank in Brookline. Santiago is a current member of the New Bedford Chapter of the Latin Kings. 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. 1 Courthouse Way, Suite 9200 Valuable assistance was also provided by the FBI North Shore Gang Task Force and the Bristol County and Suffolk County District Attorneys Offices. Officials believe some lyrics are admissions of shooting other gang members. Official websites use .gov A lock ( Members of the gangs East Coast leadership are among those charged, according to authorities. In the chat, Lugo tells the other members, U bros better eat on them especially roger for knowing how we roll and still letting a [expletive] tho down our krown.. 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. 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. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found athttps://www.justice.gov/OCDETF. His orders were often violent, Lelling said, including ordering the murder of those who questioned his authority and authorizing various levels of violence against anyone cooperating with law enforcement.. 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. = Reyes-Smith is believed to have left Massachusetts following a May 2018 shooting that was caught on camera and for which he is currently in warrant status. The stations are commonly used as a mini pilgrimage as the individual moves from station to station. Joe Bonavolonta, special agent in charge of the FBIs Boston division, said it was the largest takedown in the divisions history. Official websites use .gov 2023 www.southcoasttoday.com. Velazquez is a current member of the New Bedford Chapter of the Latin Kings. 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. U.S. Senior District Court Judge Rya W. Zobel scheduled sentencing for June 10, 2021. A locked padlock Jorge is a current member of the New Bedford Chapter of the Latin Kings. 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. He developed a leadership approach to the gang which has become a model for other Latin Kings regions of the country. These are the top stories of the past week on, 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. BOSTON - A former member of the New Bedford Chapter of the Massachusetts Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation ("Latin Kings") pleaded guilty on March 3 to racketeering charges. The victim was apparently targeted for selling drugs from a source that was not gang-approved. 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 following defendants have been charged: MSB, (Former) State Team Head of Security, Former New Bedford Member, now in North Carolina, A Massachusetts man was found guilty in the District of Columbia of felony and misdemeanor . Criminal activity in the eastern region is alleged to be overseen by 40-year-old Michael Cecchetelli, also known as King Merlin. NEW YORK, June 8 (Reuters) - Forty-six people who authorities say are members or associates of the Latin Kings street gang face narcotics trafficking charges after a major drug sweep in. 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. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. All the profits from the day are going to be donated to two . Many of those arrested Thursday morning appear in numerous YouTube rap videos, wearing the Latin Kings colors (black and gold), flashing gang signs, and rapping about drugs and murder. 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. The convention is being held this year on Saturday 18th March in The King's House, Bedford, about 50 miles north of London. The federal cases are being prosecuted by an Assistant United States Attorney in Ortizs Organized Crime and Gang Unit. 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 . 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. The charges range from RICO conspiracy to drug trafficking and firearms abuses. The king's speech, at the opening of the session of 1717, made pointed allusion to the state of public credit, and recommended that proper measures should be taken to reduce the national debt. 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. The Stations of the Cross are a 14-step Catholic devotion that commemorates Jesus Christ's last day on Earth as a man. Ines Lugo is the 16thdefendant to be sentenced in the case. There are 11 active Latin Kings Chapters operating in Massachusetts: D5K (Boston), Morton Street Bricks (Boston), New Bedford, Springfield, Lynn/Salem, Chelsea, Lowell, Lawrence, Worcester, Fitchburg and within the Department of Corrections. In December 2020, Paris pleaded guilty to conspiracy to conduct enterprise affairs through a pattern of racketeering activity, more commonly referred to as RICO conspiracy. 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. The clerk, who was not aware of the scam, was struck by the robbers. Authorities say they were cooking. Reyes-Smith is a former member of the New Bedford Chapter of the Latin Kings, who is believed to have left the area and returned to North Carolina. 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. Rodriguez is the 38th defendant to be sentenced in the case. 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. The remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. Avitable is the 56th defendant to be sentenced, the U.S. Attorneys Office said in a release. Valuable assistance was also provided by the FBI North Shore Gang Task Force and the Bristol County and Suffolk County District Attorneys Offices. Rivera is the 23rd defendant sentenced in the case. At the end of the beating, an item believed to be a wallet or a cell phone was taken from the victims pants pocket. .hide-if-no-js { 2023 www.southcoasttoday.com. It puts us a step ahead of them regionally for once.. Mendez has historically held various leadership positions. Paris is a current member of the New Bedford Chapter of the Latin Kings. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. 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. The sentence was handed down by U.S. Senior District Court Judge Rya W. Zobel despite the government recommending a sentence of 10 months in prison. According to court documents, the Eastern Region of the Latin Kings encompasses local chapters in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, and various other states along the eastern seaboard from Maryland to Florida. 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 . Secure .gov websites use HTTPS Secure .gov websites use HTTPS 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. Mendez also participated in a shooting of two victims in May 2018. They had been targeted because they objected to Latin Kings members dealing drugs in their driveway. BOSTON A Boston man has been sentenced for robbing a TD Bank branch in Cambridge. The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. Assistant U.S. 0:00 / 1:54 Dozens of Latin Kings arrested in federal sweep WCVB Channel 5 Boston 195K subscribers Subscribe 964 Share 122K views 3 years ago Dozens of members of the Latin Kings gang have. 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. Assistant U.S. Cecchetelli is alleged to be the conduit between each of the Eastern Region states and the Latin Kings national leadership in Chicago. 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. BOSTON A former member of the New Bedford Chapter of the Massachusetts Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation (Latin Kings) pleaded guilty on March 3 to racketeering charges. Raekwon Paris, a/k/a King Debo, 25, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge Rya W. Zobel to 22 months in prison and three years of supervised release. The Latin Kings are a violent criminal enterprise comprised of thousands of members across the United States. Amsterdam Tourism Amsterdam Hotels Amsterdam Bed and Breakfast Amsterdam Vacation Rentals Amsterdam Vacation Packages ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. NEW BEDFORD FBI agents and New York Police Department officers raided two locations in the North End of New Bedford Thursday morning as part of a statewide crackdown on the Latin. 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. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. 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. United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; 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 today. 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. 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. Robert Bobby Avitable, 52, was sentenced to time served (approximately four days in prison) and three years of supervised release. On January 4, UPROSE, Brooklyn's oldest Latino community based organization, held its first Three . Up through the 17th century, the area was the territory of the Wampanoag Native American people. 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. 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, Heres What Happened to New Bedfords Jimmie Evans Flyer Diner. BOSTON A Boston man has been indicted in connection with the September 2022 robbery of a bank in Brookline. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Attorneys Emily Cannon and Philip Mallard of Lellings Organized Crime and Gang Unit are prosecuting the cases. 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. According to New Bedford Police report, on June 20, a convenience store on Purchase Street was robbed by two men carrying guns. The Latin Kings are a violent criminal enterprise comprised of thousands of members across the United States.