Mendez is the 50thdefendant to be sentenced in the case. If you dont have that, its very difficult to get the leaders.. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. = This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. Missing teen from Fall River found in New Bedford Latin Kings raid Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Former Leader of New Bedford Latin Kings Chapter Sentenced for OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Restaurants near New King, Amsterdam on Tripadvisor: Find traveler reviews and candid photos of dining near New King in Amsterdam, North Holland Province. 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. The remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The federal cases are being prosecuted by an Assistant United States Attorney in Ortizs Organized Crime and Gang Unit. New Bedford Latin Kings Trap House Landlord Pleads Guilty - 1420 WBSM Forty-Six Latin King Gang Members and Associates Charged with - FBI Valuable assistance was also provided by the FBI North Shore Gang Task Force and the Bristol County and Suffolk County District Attorneys Offices. 'Queen Taliya' Pleads Guilty in Mass. Latin Kings Case - 1420 WBSM Stations of the Cross - Christ The King Church BOSTON It's seven years in prison for a former enforcer for the New Bedford chapter of the Latin Kings gang who pleaded guilty last year to racketeering conspiracy. 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. 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. 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. 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. 46 Charged In Latin Kings Drug Bust In New Bedford - CBS Boston - CBS News Latin Kings schemed to launder drug money by flipping houses, feds say 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. He also has an open case related to a May 2018 shooting incident. The government recommended a sentence of 18 months incarceration. 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. 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 Massachusetts Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation (Latin Kings) pleaded guilty on March 3 to racketeering charges. 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. 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 statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. 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. BOSTON A Fitchburg man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Worcester to his role in a wide-ranging fentanyl, heroin, crack and cocaine trafficking conspiracy. 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. An official website of the United States government. 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.. District of Massachusetts Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found athttps://www.justice.gov/OCDETF. 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Member of Massachusetts Latin Kings gang admits to crimes Former New Bedford Latin Kings member sentenced on drug charges 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 . 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 U.S. Attorneys Office said the partnership between Avitable and Rodriguez granted a safe haven to the Latin Kings allowing crimes to fester and grow more brazen as members operated with a sentence of impunity. December 26, 2019. The defendants are presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. 62 members of the Latin Kings charged in 'largest takedown' in FBI A locked padlock On Aug. 24, 2019, Lugo was captured on video delivering cocaine base to another Latin Kings member in a trap house, the news release said. The remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The following individuals have been charged by federal complaint: 17) Jordan Jorge, 20, of New Bedford18) Felicia Timoteo, 20, of New Bedford. Vasquez is a former member of the New Bedford Chapter of the Latin Kings, and a former enforcer the New Bedford Chapter. During the robbery, which was captured on video, the victim was chased down in the middle of a busy street, thrown to the ground and kicked and beaten by six members of the Latin Kings. 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 . 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. 3 Owner of New Bedford Guide. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. 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. Attorneys Philip A. Mallard and Lauren Graber of Lellings Criminal Division are prosecuting the case. Bonavolonta said law enforcement learned of the gangs planned violence over and over throughout the investigation. 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,. To get at gang leadership, you almost always need a highly placed cooperating source, he said. Joe Bonavolonta, special agent in charge of the FBIs Boston division, said it was the largest takedown in the divisions history. Vargas is a current member of the New Bedford Chapter of the Latin Kings. BOSTON A Boston man has been sentenced for robbing a TD Bank branch in Cambridge. Have a question about Government Services? Served 20 years in the United States Air Force. Have a question about Government Services? SNY - Wikipedia Amsterdam. Former New Bedford Latin Kings Enforcer Sentenced - 1420 WBSM 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 . 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. 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). Latin Kings schemed to launder drug money by flipping houses, feds say 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. The Latin Kings are a violent criminal enterprise comprised of thousands of members across the United States. Ines Lugo is the 16thdefendant to be sentenced in the case. Doctor Who News - Bedford Who Charity Con 8 They had been targeted because they objected to Latin Kings members dealing drugs in their driveway. 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. Valentin-Soto is a member and the former Cacique of the New Bedford Chapter of the Latin Kings. Michael Silvia 1 Comment. 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. 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. 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. Worcester:508-368-0100. Police in New Bedford say. 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. 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. Cotto is also featured on numerous YouTube videos with other members of the New Bedford Chapter posted by Latin Kings New Bedford Chapter member holding money, flashing firearms and gang signs, and generally dancing to music with lyrics that discuss Latin Kings members shooting rival gangs. 94 in Latin Kings Are Arrested Citywide - The New York Times Now, theyll soon be public. 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. Rodriguez conspired with other members of the Latin Kings to distribute controlled substances such as cocaine and cocaine base in New Bedford through a series of trap houses or multi-unit apartment buildings controlled by the Latin Kings. Now, 48 years later, officials have identified the 'Lady of the Dunes. Mendez has historically held various leadership positions. Alleged leader of Latin Kings' violent New Bedford gang faces Another Latin Kings member then fired gunshots at the two victims striking them. 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. Richard Neals long quest for Trumps tax returns is finished. 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. 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. Cecchetelli, a 40-year-old from Springfield with ties to the. 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. New Bedford Latin Kings: Who they are and what they've done Latin King lieutenant argues for coronavirus release over kidney treatment The remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. English colonists bought the land on which New Bedford would later be built from the Wampanoag in 1652, and the original . Those of Thursdays arrests that happened in Massachusetts were in Boston, Lowell, Springfield, Fitchburg, Chelsea, New Bedford, and Worcester. Springfield:413-785-0235 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. However, there are actually quite a few museums throughout New Bedford for a wide range of interests. Boston, MA 02210, Boston:617-748-3100 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. 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. Following the shooting, Mendez discussed the incident on a court-authorized wiretap and advised the shooter that the victims would not be coming to court due to the efforts of the Latin Kings to intimidate them. }. 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. Former Member of New Bedford Latin Kings Sentenced to Over Eight Years Lelling said Operation Throne Down prevented at least eight murders. And in 2021, Belsky released his debut EP, I . Rodriguez faces up to 20 years in prison, a fine of no more than $250,000, and up to three years of supervised release. 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. Velazquez is a current member of the New Bedford Chapter of the Latin Kings. 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. Several alleged Latin Kings members have been released to the Attorneys Emily Cannon and Philip Mallard of Lellings Organized Crime and Gang Unit are prosecuting the cases. 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. Johnson is a current member of the New Bedford Chapter of Latin Kings. Latin Kings 'trap house' landlord gets supervised release by federal 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. Federal sweep could be 'significant hit' on Latin Kings - Boston Herald 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. 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. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. The charge of felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition provides a sentence of up to 10 years, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. BOSTON A former member of the New Bedford Chapter of the Massachusetts Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation (Latin Kings) was sentenced today on racketeering charges. Wednesday, April 13, 2022 Former Member of New Bedford Latin Kings Sentenced to Over Eight Years in Prison for Racketeering Conspiracy BOSTON - A former member of the New Bedford Chapter of the Massachusetts Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation (Latin Kings) was sentenced today on racketeering charges. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Robert Avitabile, known as Bobby, admitted to his association with the Latin Kings in federal court on Tuesday, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. New Bedford Latin Kings Enforcer Admits to Racketeering - 1420 WBSM 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. The Latin Kings are a violent criminal enterprise comprised of thousands of members across the United States. The Latin Kings are known to sell cocaine, fentanyl and heroin. Figueroa is featured in numerous rap videos under the name, Almighty King Pun, where he discusses various Latin Kings racketeering activity. All of the remaining 60 defendants have pleaded guilty and have been sentenced or are awaiting sentencing. Dozens Of Latin Kings Gang Members Arrested In Massachusetts 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. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Mass. 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.. 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. 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.