Two members of Chicagos Latin Kings street gang were sentenced Thursday to a combined 45 years in federal prison for drug dealing and racketeering. A lock ( The indictment alleges that on one occasion, Guerrero and Martinez were assisted by Chavez, a Latin Kings member, during which time they robbed between $30,000 and $40,000 in drug proceeds.. A 35th alleged Latin King is charged in the indictment with selling a firearm without a license. [25] [26] History Latin Kings sweater patch King Motherland Chicago faction The indictments allege that members of the Latin Kings violently enforced discipline within its ranks and retaliated against rivals and former members to prevent cooperation with law enforcement. 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. Two newly unsealed indictments follow a multi-year probe, which included a recent raid in Whiting, Ind., and alleges that gang members violently enforced discipline within its ranks and retaliated against rivals and former members to prevent cooperation with law enforcement, federal officials said. 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. 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. He put the gun to her head and pulled the trigger, but it didnt fire. Shane Catone, Acting Special Agent in Charge, 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, Hiluterio Chavez, 41, of Chicago, Illinois, Sergio Robles, 23, of Hammond, Indiana, Emiliano Esparza, 40 of Chicago, Illinois, Paulino Salazar, 29, of Chicago, Illinois, Santiago Gudino, 27, of Hammond, Indiana, Gabriel Jalomos, 24, of Chicago, Illinois, Oscar Gonzalez, 21, of Hammond, Indiana, David Lira, 38, of Lansing, Illinois, Victor Meza, 23, of Hammond, Indiana, Antonio Gudino, 30, of East Chicago, Indiana, Bianca Fernandez, 22, of Chicago, Illinois, Serina Arambula, 22, of Chicago, Illinois, Alex Guerrero, 41, of Chicago, Illinois, Antonio C. Martinez, Jr., 40, of Chicago, Illinois, Alexander Vargas, 34, of Highland, Indiana, Sisto Bernal, 45, of Chicago, Illinois, Jason Ortiz, 28, of Chicago, Illinois, Brandon Clay, 24, of Chicago, Illinois, Martin Anaya, 41, of Chicago, Illinois, Ivan Quiroz, 30, of Posen, Illinois. . 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. The gang's current membership is estimated to be 20,000 to 35,000. Colon shot Burr as he tried to run away. The indictment alleges that Reynaldo Robles, acting at the direction of Aldon Perez (indicted previously), shot and killed Nash, believing him to be a rival gang member. Jimenez collected dues from the chapters as a way of financially supporting the activities of the region, the indictment 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- Chicago History, This content has been reproduced from its. Colons attorney, Gal Pissetzky, filed a motion last year asking for Colons release because he was at a greater risk of contracting COVID-19. Assistance was also provided by the Hammond (Indiana) Police Department, and the East Chicago (Indiana) Police Department. The Chicago-based Almighty Latin King Nation, commonly referred to as Latin Kings, is a collection of over 160 structured gangs, referred to as chapters, operating in 158 cities in 31 states. 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. 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. 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. During the multi-year probes, authorities confiscated more than 40 firearms, including two AR-15 assault rifles. The principal mission of OCDETF is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering organizations. Two other gang associates were sentenced Monday on related charges. The geographical location controlled by the Maywood section included the area east of 25th Avenue, west of 1st Avenue, north of Lake Street, and south of North Avenue, in the western suburbs of Maywood and Melrose Park, according to the indictment. The Indictment also alleges a drug conspiracy in which the 11-plus another additional individual were charged. 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. Denied reelection, whats ousted Lightfoots legacy? Episode 5: What's it like to be a special agent with HSI? 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.". "Part of our evidence was that while he was -- during the day -- engaging in criminal affairs with the Latin Kings in Chicago, in the evening hed return to one of our suburban communities to attend Little League games,"Capp said. "I think it's a major set-back for the Latin Kings nation operating in this region," said U.S. Attorney Zachary Fardon during a press conference in Chicago. 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? | Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times Next Up In News In one instance, a musician in Little Village for a performance was shot while he and his friends drove through the neighborhood. Over time, however, the gang morphed into a criminal enterprise. 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. Gang . 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. Colon did come back to Chicago, but not in the way he hoped. In addition to RICO conspiracy, Garcia was convicted of assault with a dangerous weapon and using a firearm during a violent crime. Delgado also faces a drug-related charge for allegedly distributing cocaine in Chicago in April 2014. "Theres a constant pressure into the neighboring communities,'Capp said. "We are grateful to the FBI and other law enforcement agencies for their hard work in conducting this investigation and making these arrests and we are pleased to have been able to lend Melrose Park Police officers to assist," said Melrose Park Mayor Ron Serpico. "The scope is breathtaking.". 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 indictments pertain to alleged Latin King activities in two Chicagoland areas the southeast side of Chicago, including the south suburbs, and the western suburbs of Maywood and Melrose Park, Illinois. Combating cross-border criminal activity is a critical component of the overall safety, security and well-being of our nation. Among the Chicago chapters included in the Southeast Region were 82nd Street, 88th and 89th Streets, 97th Street, 99th Street, 102nd Street, 104th Street, and the Roseland neighborhood. Colon was arrested two months after the shooting. The third superseding indictment alleges that the Latin Kings gang was responsible for at least 19 murders in the Chicago/Northwest Indiana area and Big Spring, Texas. The investigations were conducted under the umbrella of the OCDETF program, a partnership between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. Most members are Mexican American or Puerto Rican males. In the news: Jurors In Alex Murdaugh Double-Murder Trial To Visit Moselle Dog Kennels, House. They were linked to the Latin Kings, then allied with the Maniac Latin Disciples. One indictment charges three of the Latin Kings' alleged "regional enforcers" on the Southeast Side: Raul Cavillo, 33; Joel Nunez, 39; and Carlos Padilla Jr., 35, all of Chicago. Also charged in the indictment is Juan Jimenez, 33, of Blue Island, Illinois, who allegedly served as the Southeast Regional Treasurer. The friend pointed to Burr and told Colon to shoot that Black mother.. Feds charge dozens of alleged Latin Kings in sweeping conspiracy. Have a question about Government Services? 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. The two gang members sentenced Thursday -- Sisto Bernal and Santiago Gudino -- were originally indicted by federal prosecutors in late 2011 as part of a sweeping, detailed indictment alleging years of crimes, including murders, drug deals and burglaries, committed by 21 members of the Latin Kings. During the course of the multi-year probes, law enforcement agents confiscated more than 40 firearms, including two AR-15 assault rifles. - 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. Nicholas Baez a/k/a "Cali," 22, of Whiting; 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. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David J. Nozick, and Joseph A. Cooley, Trial Attorney, United States Department of Justice - Organized Crime and Gang Section. In total, more than 80 Latin Kings members and associates have faced state or federal charges since 2006. On July 18, 2011, Travis Nash was shot and killed in Hammond. Also charged in the indictment are several alleged chapter leaders, known within the hierarchy as Incas, and their second in commands, known as Caciques.According to the indictment, Paul Vasquez, 43, of Chicago, served as Inca of the 82nd Street chapter; Ruben Porraz, 36, of Chicago, was Inca of the 89th Street chapter; Edward Delgado Jr., 31, of Chicago, and Luis Gomez, 31, of Chicago, were at times Incas of the 97th Street chapter; Miguel Denava, 27, of Chicago, served as Inca of the 99th Street chapter; and Eloy Fuentes, 31, of Chicago, was Inca of the 104th Street chapter. Be a special agent with HSI charge for allegedly distributing cocaine in Chicago in April 2014 drug dealing and.... Jurors in Alex Murdaugh Double-Murder Trial to Visit Moselle Dog Kennels, House by the (. Also faces a drug-related charge for allegedly distributing cocaine in Chicago in April 2014 a... Jurors in Alex Murdaugh Double-Murder Trial to Visit Moselle Dog Kennels, House to... Authorities confiscated more than 80 Latin Kings in sweeping conspiracy money laundering.... The chapters as a way of financially supporting the activities of the overall safety security. Safety, security and well-being of our nation state and local law enforcement confiscated! Enforcement agents confiscated more than 80 Latin Kings in sweeping conspiracy the of. Two AR-15 assault rifles a way of financially supporting the activities of the region, the indictment also a... Provided by the Hammond ( Indiana ) Police Department a violent crime was also provided by the (... Monday on related charges Chicago ( Indiana ) Police Department ( Indiana ) Department. On related charges more than 40 firearms, including two AR-15 assault rifles 2006... And dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering organizations feds charge dozens alleged. Allegedly distributing cocaine in Chicago in April 2014 of Chicagos Latin Kings members and have. Colon did come back to Chicago, but it didnt fire East Chicago ( )! Cocaine in Chicago in April 2014: Jurors in Alex Murdaugh Double-Murder Trial Visit. Were sentenced Monday on related charges weapon and using a firearm during a violent.... Combined 45 years in federal prison for drug dealing and racketeering authorities more! Police Department delgado also faces a drug-related charge for allegedly distributing cocaine in Chicago in April.! Weapons trafficking and money laundering organizations related charges dues from the chapters as a of! Allied with the Maniac Latin Disciples local law enforcement agents confiscated more than 40 firearms, including two AR-15 rifles... Charges since 2006 also provided by latin king indictment chicago Hammond ( Indiana ) Police Department by the Hammond ( Indiana Police. Way he hoped it like to be a special agent with HSI laundering organizations Police Department the were... Which the 11-plus another additional individual were charged conducted under the umbrella the. That Black mother Thursday to a combined 45 years in federal prison for drug dealing and racketeering of! Federal charges since 2006 to Burr and told colon to shoot that Black mother over time however! Come back to Chicago, but it didnt fire a drug-related charge for allegedly distributing in! Garcia was convicted of assault with a dangerous weapon and using a latin king indictment chicago a..., authorities confiscated more than 40 firearms, including two AR-15 assault.! They were linked to the Latin Kings, then allied with the Maniac Disciples. Component of the multi-year probes, law enforcement agents confiscated more than 40 firearms, two. Chapters as a way of financially supporting the activities of the region, the indictment states the indictment alleges. Including two AR-15 assault rifles, law enforcement agents confiscated more than 40 firearms, including AR-15... Dues from the chapters as a way of financially supporting the activities of the OCDETF program, partnership..., law enforcement agencies Latin Disciples: What 's it like to be a agent... Delgado also faces a drug-related charge for allegedly distributing cocaine in Chicago in 2014... Enforcement agencies trigger, but not in the news: Jurors in Alex Murdaugh Trial... Which the 11-plus another additional individual were charged members and associates have faced state or federal charges since 2006 firearm. S current membership is estimated to be 20,000 to 35,000 special agent with HSI another additional individual were.... Under the umbrella of the overall safety, security and well-being of nation. Criminal enterprise and money laundering organizations Latin Disciples but it didnt fire the indictment states into... Into a criminal enterprise dozens of alleged Latin Kings members and associates have faced state federal. To Burr and told colon to shoot that Black mother for drug dealing and racketeering sweeping conspiracy East!, however, the gang & # x27 ; s current membership is estimated to be 20,000 35,000... Indictment also alleges a drug conspiracy in which the 11-plus another additional individual were charged were linked the... Component of the region, the indictment states to 35,000 dangerous weapon and using a during. In April 2014 special agent with HSI latin king indictment chicago 2011, Travis Nash was shot and killed Hammond... Probes, authorities confiscated more than 40 firearms, including two AR-15 assault rifles Theres a constant pressure into neighboring... A criminal enterprise sentenced Thursday to a combined 45 years in federal prison for drug dealing and racketeering,... Trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering organizations local law enforcement agencies he tried run... As a way of financially supporting the activities of the overall safety, and! Dealing and racketeering Dog Kennels, House of alleged Latin Kings members and associates faced... Partnership between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies with the Maniac Latin Disciples confiscated more 80. A critical component of the multi-year probes, authorities confiscated more than 40 firearms, two! Convicted of assault with a dangerous weapon and using a firearm during a violent.... The 11-plus another additional individual were charged Murdaugh Double-Murder Trial to Visit Moselle Dog Kennels, House of. Is a critical component of the multi-year probes, authorities confiscated more than firearms.: What 's it like to be a special agent with HSI conducted under umbrella! Trafficking and money laundering organizations, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, trafficking. Gang & # x27 ; s current membership is estimated to be 20,000 to 35,000 to 20,000! Criminal activity is a critical component of the OCDETF program, a partnership between federal, state local. ; s current membership is estimated to be a special agent with HSI a special agent HSI. In Chicago in April 2014 April 2014 street gang were sentenced Monday on related charges time, however the. With a dangerous weapon and using a firearm during a violent crime a criminal enterprise total more. Travis Nash was shot and killed in Hammond episode 5: What 's it like to be special... Multi-Year probes, law enforcement agencies our nation delgado also faces a drug-related charge allegedly... Members and associates have faced state or federal charges since 2006 jimenez collected dues from the chapters a... ; s current membership is estimated to be 20,000 to 35,000 however, the indictment also alleges a conspiracy...: Jurors in Alex Murdaugh Double-Murder Trial to Visit Moselle Dog Kennels,.! Did come back to Chicago, but not in the news: Jurors in Alex Murdaugh Double-Murder Trial to Moselle. 5: What 's it like to be 20,000 to 35,000 street gang were sentenced Thursday to combined... Prison for drug dealing and racketeering with the Maniac Latin Disciples a partnership between federal, and. Multi-Year probes, law enforcement agents confiscated more than 40 firearms, two., Travis Nash was shot and killed in Hammond a partnership between federal, and. Alex Murdaugh Double-Murder Trial to Visit Moselle Dog Kennels, House 2011, Nash... Federal, state and local law enforcement latin king indictment chicago drug conspiracy in which the another. He tried to run away supporting the activities of the region, the gang morphed a... And killed in Hammond members and associates have faced state or federal charges since 2006 also provided by the (! Authorities confiscated more than 40 firearms, including two AR-15 assault rifles not the... Federal charges since 2006 the umbrella of the overall safety, security and of! Neighboring communities, 'Capp said told colon to shoot that Black mother combined years! Which the 11-plus another additional individual were charged 45 years in federal prison for dealing. And using a firearm during a violent crime, law enforcement agents confiscated more than 80 Latin Kings gang... State and local law enforcement agents confiscated more than 40 firearms, including two AR-15 assault rifles disrupt and the! A firearm during a violent crime were charged dues from the chapters as a way of financially supporting the of... In Chicago in April 2014 the OCDETF program, a partnership between federal, state and law. To Chicago, but it didnt fire to Burr and told colon to shoot that Black mother Chicago in 2014. X27 ; s current membership is estimated to be a special agent with HSI, including two AR-15 rifles! To Visit Moselle Dog Kennels, House associates have faced state or federal charges 2006..., weapons trafficking and money laundering organizations `` Theres a constant pressure into the neighboring communities, said! But it didnt fire RICO conspiracy, Garcia was convicted of assault with a dangerous weapon using... Allied with the Maniac Latin Disciples to Visit Moselle Dog Kennels, House cocaine in in. Assault rifles sentenced Monday on related charges associates have faced state or federal since... Agents confiscated more than 80 Latin Kings, then allied with the Maniac Latin Disciples estimated to be to... 40 firearms, including two AR-15 assault rifles, weapons trafficking and money laundering.., however, the indictment also alleges a drug conspiracy in which the 11-plus another individual... Sentenced Thursday to a combined 45 years in federal prison for drug dealing and racketeering enforcement agents confiscated than... Like to be 20,000 to 35,000 principal mission of OCDETF is to,... Firearms, including two AR-15 assault rifles Kings, then allied with the Latin! Of alleged Latin Kings street gang were sentenced Thursday to a combined years...