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. 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. 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. 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. 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. And in 2021, Belsky released his debut EP, I . Blocks away from a New Bedford charter school, Latin Kings members cooked crack cocaine, collected guns, shot at rivals and shot music videos where they boasted about their criminal. 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. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Robert Bobby Avitable, 52, was sentenced to time served (approximately four days in prison) and three years of supervised release. Ines Lugo is the 16thdefendant to be sentenced in the case. 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. Bonavolonta said law enforcement learned of the gangs planned violence over and over throughout the investigation. 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. The remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. Rodriguez faces up to 20 years in prison, a fine of no more than $250,000, and up to three years of supervised release. Worcester:508-368-0100. All rights reserved. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. During that incident, multiple Latin Kings members chased the two victims to a vehicle, surrounded the vehicle, and slashed their tires. 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 . ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. 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 charges stem from a long-term investigation into narcotics sales in the area. Following the murder of a Latin Kings member in October 2019, and while serving as Inca of the New Bedford Chapter, Rodriguez was recorded during a Latin Kings meeting instructing members to attack rival gang members without seeking his specific approval for the acts of violence. 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. Thursdays widespread arrests involved seven FBI SWAT teams, three tactical teams, five supporting aircraft, and three canine units. The properties were used by gang members to hide weapons,. 1. 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. United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; 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. The state defendants will be prosecuted by District Attorney Sutters Office. Served 20 years in the United States Air Force. 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. 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 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. 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. Jorge is a current member of the New Bedford Chapter of the Latin Kings. 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. 1 Courthouse Way, Suite 9200 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. Up through the 17th century, the area was the territory of the Wampanoag Native American people. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found athttps://www.justice.gov/OCDETF. 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. This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. 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. 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. In October was convicted of witness intimidation in New Bedford District Court, and placed on one year of probation. Springfield:413-785-0235 The convention is being held this year on Saturday 18th March in The King's House, Bedford, about 50 miles north of London. In another incident in July 2019, Santiago-Torres fired multiple times at rival gang members as they fled a fight with the Latin Kings in a New Bedford street. United States Attorney Carmen Ortiz; Richard DesLauriers, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Colonel Marian J. McGovern, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; C. Samuel Sutter, Bristol County District Attorney; Chief David A. Provencher of the New Bedford Police Department; Josh Wall, Chairman of the Massachusetts Parole Board; and Thomas M. Hodgson, Bristol County Sheriff made the announcement today. 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. A confidential witness stated that Carrasquillo and Guadalupe committed the robbery with the acquiescence of the store owner for insurance proceeds. Avitable is the 56th defendant to be sentenced, the U.S. Attorneys Office said in a release. King G, who at the time was second in command of the Latin Kings in Massachusetts. 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.. Attorneys Philip A. Mallard and Lauren Graber of Lellings Criminal Division are prosecuting the case. Multiple search warrants executed by the New Bedford Police Department targeted locations where Mendez resided, and drug were seized as a result. Four Latin Kings, including a New Bedford teen accused in multiple assaults, have been released on bail by federal judges after the massive "Operation Throne Down" sweep earlier this month,. 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. The clerk, who was not aware of the scam, was struck by the robbers. 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. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Mendez has historically held various leadership positions. 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. Mendez is the 50thdefendant to be sentenced in the case. 3 '. 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. Assistant U.S. 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. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. 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). 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,. Figueroa is a current member of the New Bedford Chapter of the Latin Kings and former member of the Devon Street Kings Chapter. MLS #. Lelling said hes hopeful that the operation quiets the gangs activity on the East Coast. 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. 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. As part of the plea agreement, Avitable has agreed to forfeit the three apartment buildings that he owned in the City of New Bedford. 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. 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. Worcester:508-368-0100. Valentin-Soto is a member and the former Cacique of the New Bedford Chapter of the Latin Kings. Court documents indicate law enforcement used at least three confidential sources. Worcester:508-368-0100. The office stated that Vasquez is the 53rd defendant to be sentenced in the case. The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. 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. New Bedford Latin Kings: Who they are and what they've done Jerry Boggs jboggs@s-t.com A total of 22 individuals are named from New Bedford as members of the Almighty Latin King and Queen. District of Massachusetts 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. Rodriguez is the 38th defendant to be sentenced in the case. Official websites use .gov 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. Lock BOSTON A Boston man has been indicted in connection with the September 2022 robbery of a bank in Brookline. 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. NEW BEDFORD (CBS) - Forty-six people, many of whom are alleged Latin Kings street gang members, were charged Friday for state and federal drug law violations. He also has an open case related to a May 2018 shooting incident. Boston, MA 02210, Boston:617-748-3100 Guadalupe is a current member of the New Bedford Chapter of the Latin Kings. Members of the gangs East Coast leadership are among those charged, according to authorities. 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 first snowstorm of the New Year delayed a Sunset Park holiday celebration, but not for long. The 14 devotions, or stations, focus on specific events of His last day, beginning with His condemnation. I wanna see whose guns defend him now. Investigators believe that the term eat refers to inflicting physical violence, and has been used by other Latin Kings members in that regard. 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.