Among 11 active Latin Kings chapters in Massachusetts, New Bedford was singled out in the affidavit for its "extremely. The government recommended a sentence of 18 months incarceration. The victim was apparently targeted for selling drugs from a source that was not gang-approved. 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. 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. The Latin Kings are known to sell cocaine, fentanyl and heroin. 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. All of the remaining 60 defendants have pleaded guilty and have been sentenced or are awaiting sentencing. Kevin Guadalupe, a.k.a. 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. New Bedford police 'disappointed' at release of Latin Kings from custody This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. 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. Jorge Rodriguez is first alleged Latin Kings leader in 'Operation According to the U.S. Department of Justice, there are 11 active Latin Kings chapters in Massachusetts. Boston, MA 02210, Boston:617-748-3100 Members of the gangs East Coast leadership are among those charged, according to authorities. This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. 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. King G, who at the time was second in command of the Latin Kings in Massachusetts. 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. 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. Criminal activity in the eastern region is alleged to be overseen by 40-year-old Michael Cecchetelli, also known as King Merlin. 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. All rights reserved. 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. A February recording captures Barboza and others discussing the beating of an individual. Alleged leader of Latin Kings' violent New Bedford gang faces 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. 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. Former New Bedford Latin Kings Enforcer Sentenced - 1420 WBSM The remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. 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. 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. In October 2019, a juvenile Latin Kings member was murdered steps away from one of the trap houses.. Bedford Who Charity Con 8 is being held this month and offering 10% off tickets for readers of Doctor Who News. 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. 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. 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). Your email address will not be published. New Bedford Latin Kings: Who they are and what they've done According to New Bedford Police report, on June 20, a convenience store on Purchase Street was robbed by two men carrying guns. 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. Mendez has historically held various leadership positions. Feds say Latin Kings cooked cocaine and planned killings - masslive Valentin-Soto is a member and the former Cacique of the New Bedford Chapter of the Latin Kings. U.S. Senior District Court Judge Rya W. Zobel scheduled sentencing for June 10, 2021. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF. As part of his plea agreement, Avitable agreed to forfeit the three apartment buildings he owned in New Bedford that were used as trap houses by the Latin Kings. A locked padlock 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. 27 Marcus Garvey Blvd, Brooklyn, NY 11206 | Zillow View this $1800000 4 bed, 3.0 bath, 4875 sqft single family home located at 27 Marcus Garvey Blvd built in 1931 on Zillow. Attorneys Philip A. Mallard and Lauren Graber of Lellings Criminal Division are prosecuting the case. Former Member of New Bedford Latin Kings Sentenced to Over Eight Years Those of Thursdays arrests that happened in Massachusetts were in Boston, Lowell, Springfield, Fitchburg, Chelsea, New Bedford, and Worcester. 3 .hide-if-no-js { The convention is being held this year on Saturday 18th March in The King's House, Bedford, about 50 miles north of London. The Stations of the Cross are a 14-step Catholic devotion that commemorates Jesus Christ's last day on Earth as a man. Boston, MA 02210, Boston:617-748-3100 OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Over 60 Members of Latin Kings Charged, 23 from New Bedford 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. Rodriguez is the 38th defendant to be sentenced in the case. 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. English colonists bought the land on which New Bedford would later be built from the Wampanoag in 1652, and the original . Worcester:508-368-0100. On June 15, 2021, Rodriguez pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base and to conspiracy to conduct enterprise affairs through a pattern of racketeering activity, more commonly referred to as RICO conspiracy. 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. 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. As enforcer for the New Bedford Latin Kings,Vasquez approved a mission that involved shooting a victim in June 2019, the office stated. Valuable assistance was also provided by the FBI North Shore Gang Task Force and the Bristol County and Suffolk County District Attorneys Offices. One gang member then shot the victims, who escaped in the car and survived. New Bedford Latin Kings:Who they are and what theyve done. 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 . Mendez is the 50thdefendant to be sentenced in the case. 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. The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. '. Lock 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. 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. The charges stem from a long-term investigation into narcotics sales in the area. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. New Bedford Latin Kings bought houses they planned to renovate and flip in an elaborate scheme to launder drug money, feds say a move one organized crime expert called an indicator of how . Have a question about Government Services? On January 4, UPROSE, Brooklyn's oldest Latino community based organization, held its first Three . Police in New Bedford say. In February 2019, Paris fired multiple gunshots at rival gang members who were observed leaving a Latin Kings trap house. Ines Lugo is the 16thdefendant to be sentenced in the case. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. 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. 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. Attorneys Emily Cannon and Philip Mallard of Lellings Organized Crime and Gang Unit are prosecuting the cases. Two missing children, boys 14 and 16, were also recovered during the operation. 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. 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. The Latin Kings are a violent criminal enterprise comprised of thousands of members across the United States. Over 60 Members of Latin Kings Charged - United States Department of Another Latin Kings member then fired gunshots at the two victims striking them. 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. Boston Office: The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. 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. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Assistant U.S. An official website of the United States government. Lelling said hes hopeful that the operation quiets the gangs activity on the East Coast. Former Member of New Bedford Latin Kings Chapter Sentenced for District of Massachusetts Former Leader of New Bedford Latin Kings Chapter Sentenced for 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. Avitable is the 56th defendant to be sentenced, the U.S. Attorneys Office said in a release. 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. Missing teen from Fall River found in New Bedford Latin Kings raid Lelling said Operation Throne Down prevented at least eight murders. Several alleged Latin Kings members have been released to the Two Latin Kings members had disrespected Michael Cecchetelli, the alleged kingpin of the notorious gang's East Coast operations. Thursdays widespread arrests involved seven FBI SWAT teams, three tactical teams, five supporting aircraft, and three canine units. A lock ( The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. Figueroa is featured in numerous rap videos under the name, Almighty King Pun, where he discusses various Latin Kings racketeering activity. 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. 46 Charged In Latin Kings Drug Bust In New Bedford - CBS Boston - CBS News 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 . In 2006, an investigation into the Latin Kings resulted in the state and federal prosecution of 37 members and associates in the New Bedford area, significantly disrupting the gang for several years. 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. 62 members of the Latin Kings charged in 'largest takedown' in FBI He developed a leadership approach to the gang which has become a model for other Latin Kings regions of the country. Cecchetelli, a 40-year-old from Springfield with ties to the. To that end, the young six-string champion has made good on his initial promise, having shared the stage with Marcus King at the Crossroads Festival when he was just 14. U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Massachusetts, Defendant admitted to role in February 2019 shooting of rival gang members, Former Member of New Bedford Latin Kings Chapter Sentenced 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 Chapter Sentenced For Racketeering Conspiracy. Ill be down to ride, Im talking homicide, put like 30 in the clip and let them bullets fly, one man raps in a video called Chronicles. Another video shows the same man sitting at a table, packaging cocaine base for distribution, officials said. Lock In 2006, an investigation into the Latin Kings resulted in the state and federal prosecution of 37 members and associates in the New Bedford area, significantly disrupting the gang for several years. Over the last several years, New Bedford has made considerable progress on improving public safety citywide, and the arrests today in our city will help us close the lid on violent crime in the near North End.. A lock ( MLS #. Court documents indicate law enforcement used at least three confidential sources. 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 . Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. The following individuals have been charged by federal complaint: 17) Jordan Jorge, 20, of New Bedford18) Felicia Timoteo, 20, of New Bedford. All the profits from the day are going to be donated to two . Attorneys Philip A. Mallard of Mendells Organized Crime and Gang Unit prosecuted the case. Assistant U.S. Former Trap House Landlord and Associate of New Bedford Latin Kings 'Queen Taliya' Pleads Guilty in Mass. Latin Kings Case - 1420 WBSM Robert Bobby Avitable, 52, was sentenced to time served (approximately four days in prison) and three years of supervised release. Vasquez is a former member of the New Bedford Chapter of the Latin Kings, and a former enforcer the New Bedford Chapter. More than 500 law enforcement agents began making arrests around 4 a.m. Thursday after the four-year investigation into the gang. 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 . Over 60 Members of Latin Kings Charged, 23 from New Bedford. 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. 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. 1 Courthouse Way, Suite 9200 The charges range from RICO conspiracy to drug trafficking and firearms abuses. 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. The federal cases are being prosecuted by an Assistant United States Attorney in Ortizs Organized Crime and Gang Unit. Earlier . Recordings from this year capture a cooperating witness purchasing cocaine from Valentin-Soto. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Mendez also participated in a shooting of two victims in May 2018. 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. 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. 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. The Latin Kings are a violent criminal enterprise comprised of thousands of members across the United States. 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. 1. They had been targeted because they objected to Latin Kings members dealing drugs in their driveway. 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 narcotics. To get at gang leadership, you almost always need a highly placed cooperating source, he said. The first snowstorm of the New Year delayed a Sunset Park holiday celebration, but not for long. 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. 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. 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. New Bedford Latin Kings Member 'King K-Milly' Pleads Guilty - 1420 WBSM