Its members and associates engaged in various acts of violence, including murder, attempted murder, assault with dangerous weapons, arson, and extortion, according to the indictments. On July 18, 2011, Travis Nash was shot and killed in Hammond. The multi-jurisdiction investigation started in 2013. The new defendants are Zambrano, Fernando King, 39, of Chicago, alleged to be the gang's "Supreme Regional Officer" who reported only to Zambrano, and Ruben Caquias, Ernesto Grimaldo, Nedal Issa and Felipe Zamora. All rights reserved, Chicago Police Officer Shot and Killed on Southwest Side, Chicago Police Release Details of What Led to Officer's Fatal Shooting in Gage Park, All Eyes On a Strong' System That Could Hit Chicago Area Friday, But Much Uncertainty Remains. CHICAGO Two federal indictments unsealed in Chicago today charged 34 members of the Latin Kings street gang with participating in a criminal organization that assaults and attempts to murder its rivals and violently protects its territories in the city and suburbs. WASHINGTONTwo members of the Latin Kings street gang were sentenced today in Hammond, Indiana federal court for racketeering conspiracy, announced Acting Assistant Attorney General Mythili. According to this indictment, the Latin Kings is nationwide gang that originated in Chicago and has branched out throughout the United States, including to Texas. Of those 31 defendants, 24 pleaded guilty, four were convicted at trial, and three remain fugitives. Leaders of one of the city's most notorious criminal gangs, the Latin Kings, were charged yesterday with attempted murder, murder, racketeering, heroin and cocaine trafficking, and other crimes. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our, Feds charge dozens of alleged Latin Kings in sweeping conspiracy. SEVP is a part of the National Security Investigations Division and acts as a bridge for government organizations that have an interest in information on nonimmigrants whose primary reason for coming to the United States is to be students. A chapter soldier, Roy Vega, 33, of Chicago, is charged with brandishing and discharging a firearm during a violent assault on July 5, 2014, in Chicago. Other regional chapters operated in the south suburbs of Blue Island, Dolton, Harvey and Chicago Heights, as well as in Kankakee and communities across the border in Indiana, according to the indictment. King and Issa are also in federal custody. Several other firearm-related offenses are charged in the indictment. Meanwhile, the feds in Northwest Indiana also indicted several alleged gang members on Tuesday. A 35th alleged Latin King is charged in the indictment with selling a firearm without a license. Several of the defendants were arrested this week and have begun making initial appearances in federal court in Chicago. Fardon declined to elaborate Tuesday on the circumstances of that alleged incident. Attorneys Jennie Levin, Matthew Hernandez and Morris Pasqual, Northern District of Illinois, are representing the government in the Gennell, et al, case. Today, many street gangs in the Chicago area have splintered into less-organized factions often controlling just a few blocks, and shootings are as likely to stem from personal slights as official gang business or drug turf disputes, experts say. Two indictments focus on the Latin Kings' dealings on the Southeast Side and in the western suburbs of Maywood and Melrose Park, known as "M-Town.". With a body mass index of 33, Colon is also considered obese. An official website of the United States government. The investigation of the Chicago Police Department officers was conducted by Chicago City Public Corruption Task Force, a Chicago Police Department- Internal Affairs and FBI - Chicago law enforcement initiative. Contact Us- Overview- Territory/Jurisdiction, News and Outreach- Press Room | Stories- In Your Community, About Us- Our People & Capabilities- What We Investigate- Our Partnerships- Chicago History, This content has been reproduced from its. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure youre on a federal government site. For media inquiries about ICE activities, operations, or policies, contact the ICE Office of Public Affairs at (202) 732-4242. He put the gun to her head and pulled the trigger, but it didnt fire. Peter Salinas a/k/a "Pudge," 30, of Hammond. The public is reminded that indictments contain only charges and are not evidence of guilt. The racketeering conspiracy charge generally carries a maximum prison sentence of 20 years, but a life sentence is possible for certain underlying racketeering activities referenced in the indictments. Skilling: Tracking the return of winter weather, Wind, rain, snow possible in late-week winter storm, Next winter storm tees-up, as we leave Meteorological, What is the most amount of precipitation as rainfall, Napervilles Brady hopes to keep Fire GK trend going, Its just been hard: Hawks react to Kane trade, Small Cheval is opening near Wrigley Field this spring, Top NFL draft prospect Jalen Carter issued warrant, Goran Dragics time with the Bulls has ended, Want a WGN News Super Fan Friday Flyover? CHICAGO Two federal indictments unsealed in Chicago Tuesday charged 34 members of the Latin Kings street gang with participating in a criminal organization that assaults and attempts to murder its rivals and violently protects its territories in the city and suburbs. July 26, 2016 / 2:23 PM For instance, alleged gang members Juan. The indictment charges three alleged high-ranking Latin Kings who enforced discipline and adherence to the gangs rules and were known as Regional Enforcers. The three Southeast Regional Enforcers charged in the indictment are: Raul Cavillo, 33; Joel Nunez, 39; and Carlos Padilla Jr., 35, all of Chicago. Efren DelAngel a/k/a "Payoso," 21, of Hammond; The U.S. Attorneys Office argues that Colon is serving a sentence that is within the advisory guidelines range and fully justified given his role as leader of the Latin Kings. Prosecutors have also focused heavily on Colons murder conviction in state court, a tactic that Pissetzky called a red herring., Its just unconscionable, I think, to keep somebody in prison for a drug offense for that long of a time, Pissetzky said. In one instance, Bernal, Gudino, Robles, Jalomos and others allegedly caused Jonathan Zimmerman to be transported to Hammond and then murdered him for using counterfeit currency to purchase drugs. Mr. Federal officials say violent gang crime is a regional issue, and they are continuing their hunt for gang members. This count carries over unchanged from the previous indictment. "I'd like to think that we were able to disrupt the gang and deter others from following in the footsteps of these leaders," said DePodesta, who is now in private practice. BOSTON - A former member of the New Bedford Chapter of the Massachusetts Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation (Latin Kings) was sentenced on May 17, 2022 on racketeering charges. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated. The latest racketeering indictment also charged the 23 Latin Kings for crimes that are already being tried in the state criminal justice system. He was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison 21 years ago. The defendants are presumed innocent and are entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Lock Attorneys Brian Wallach, Derek Owens and Vikas Didwania are representing the government in the Cavillo, et al, case. The indictment includes the previous charges alleging that the 12 remaining . According to the indictment, Bernal hired two Chicago police officers to hand over drugs, guns and cash to gang members. The principal mission of OCDETF is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering organizations. Founded in Chicago in the 1950s, the Latin Kings in many ways are a throwback to an era when gangs were led by unchallenged leaders who ruled over large swaths of territory, controlling criminal enterprises and driving violence. "In what other organization is it just part of doing business to set aside funds for the funerals of your members?" Hes also taken other courses that focus on keeping away from the sort of criminal activities that got him locked up in the first place. According to this indictment, the Latin Kings is nationwide gang that originated in Chicago and has branched out throughout the United States, including to Texas. The indictments brought in Chicago on Tuesday target two factions of the Latin Kings, one that operates on the city's Southeast Side, several southern Cook County suburbs as well as in. | Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times Next Up In News The Southeast Region of the Latin Kings contains over a dozen chapters, all of which answer to a regional structure of leadership, according to the indictment. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The investigations were conducted under the umbrella of the OCDETF program, a partnership between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. The new 53-page document also adds 14 new defendants to a prosecution that began in summer 2016. CHICAGO (WLS) -- Thirty-six alleged members of the Latin Kings street gang were charged Tuesday, accused of participating in a criminal organization that violently acted to protect its territories in Chicago, the suburbs and northwest Indiana, federal authorities announced. The soldiers are identified in the indictment as FERNANDO CHAVEZ, 31, of Lansing; ISRAEL MATA, 33, most recently in state custody in Indiana on firearm charges; and EDGAR GONZALEZ, 32, of Whiting, Ind. Is it time to let Lord Gino Colon come home? CHICAGOThe second highest-ranking leader nationwide of the Latin Kings street gang was sentenced to 40 years in federal prison after being convicted at trial in 2011 of racketeering. Those charged are accused of murder, attempted murder, assault with dangerous weapons, arson and extortion, according to the indictments. The Illinois Appellate Court would later say of Colons actions: Far from displaying any reluctance or visible effects of intimidation, the defendant fairly reveled in the execution of his victim. During the course of the multi-year probes, law enforcement agents confiscated more than 40 firearms, including two AR-15 assault rifles. In addition to the alleged acts of violence, the superseding indictment also alleges that the Latin Kings distributed more than 150 kilograms of cocaine and 1,000 kilograms of marijuana. Rockford: (815) 987-4444. According to the indictments filed in this case, Latin Kings is a nationwide gang that originated in Chicago and has branched out throughout the United States. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. A single common name can be shared by many plants. He ascended the gang ranks while in prison, eventually becoming leader of Latin Kings and calling the shots from behind bars. The charges were announced by Zachary T. Fardon, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; Michael J. Anderson, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Lindsay Murphy, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Office of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcements Homeland Security Investigations; and Eddie T. Johnson, Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department. Southeast Region (Chicago and South Suburbs). Two other co-defendants convicted at the same trial also received substantial prison terms. Chicago Police Supt. - Fifteen alleged members or associates of the Latin Kings have been indicted for their alleged roles in a racketeering conspiracy in Hammond, Ind., and elsewhere, announced U.S. Attorney David Capp of the Northern District of Indiana and Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Justice Departments Criminal Division. CHICAGOThe second highest-ranking leader nationwide of the Latin Kings street gang was sentenced to 40 years in federal prison after being convicted at trial in 2011 of racketeering conspiracy (RICO) and related charges involving narcotics trafficking and violence that plagued numerous neighborhoods on the citys north, south, and west sides. As of Tuesday afternoon, 33 out of the 36 defendants charged in the Chicago cases were in custody and will be making their initial court appearances in the coming days, according to U.S. attorney's office spokesman Joseph Fitzpatrick. The Latin Kings started out in Chicago in the 1950's, with the original stated purpose of protecting Puerto Rican immigrants from racial violence and discrimination. The National Read Across America Day takes place every year on March 2, Geisels birthday. Other regional chapters operated in the south suburbs of Blue Island, Dolton, Harvey and Chicago Heights, as well as in Kankakee, Illinois and communities across the border in Indiana, according to the indictment. It was just before 10 p.m. on June 27, 1971 when Burr, who was 16 years old, and four others left his home in the 1300 block of North Leavitt Street. The 34 individuals were charged with racketeering conspiracy. The day before his scheduled release in 1997, Colon and a dozen others were charged by the feds with running a multi-million dollar narcotics operation from an apartment in Logan Square. The Latin Kings is a well organized street gang that has specific leadership and is comprised of regions that include multiple chapters. "If theres any member of a criminal organization in northwest Indiana or south Chicago continuing to operate, were going to get you. EDGAR VELARDE-SALDANA, 33, of Maywood, a soldier in the younger circle of the M-Town section, is charged in the indictment with attempting to murder a Melrose Park police officer on July 6, 2014. Each chapter is typically named after the city in which it operates, or by a street or streets that run through the chapter. The charges include the attempted murders of rival gang members and a Melrose Park Police officer. Although 15 Latin Kings members were indicted Friday, only 14 names were . DePodesta said one of the most disturbing aspects about the gang was the dues members were forced to pay money earmarked for criminal defense attorneys and sometimes even funeral expenses. It's a further example that gang crime does not stop at Chicagos borders and can even reach into the bucolic suburbs and small towns that few would ever associate with gangland drug deals and murders. The Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation (ALKQN, ALKN, LKN) the largest and most organized Hispanic street gang in the United States of America, which has its roots dating back to the 1940s in Chicago, Illinois. Nicholas Baez a/k/a "Cali," 22, of Whiting; During that time, authorities in both Chicago and northwest Indiana combined efforts to take approximately forty gang members off the streets. All 12 individuals were charged with a conspiracy to distribute narcotics and added to a Latin King indictment pending in Indiana that had previously charged 26 members of the gang, according to a . 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