An official website of the United States government. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. The . The Latin Kings is a well organized street gang that has . Raymond Vasquez and three soldiers of the chapter are charged in the indictment with using a dangerous weapon to assault an individual on Dec. 2, 2012, in south suburban Burnham, Illinois. An undated photo of Gustavo Colon | Provided by the Chicago Crime Commission. 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. Trial evidence included audio and video recordings of three beatings inflicted upon gang members for violating the rules and testimony documenting three murders and 20 shootings in the Little Village area. Its that simple." The indictment alleges Guerrero and Martinez stole drugs, weapons and cash. 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, of Chicago; JOEL NUNEZ, 39, of Chicago; and CARLOS PADILLA JR., 35, of Chicago. Several of the defendants were arrested this week and have begun making initial appearances in federal court in Chicago. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated. The investigations were conducted under the umbrella of the OCDETF program, a partnership between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. Each of the persons named today are charged with a conspiracy to participate in racketeering activity and with a conspiracy to distribute narcotics. 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." Several of those charged have already been. 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. WASHINGTONA former Chicago Police officer and two members of the Latin Kings street gang were sentenced this week in Indiana to serve prison time for their roles in a racketeering conspiracy. In certain instances, Guerrero and Martinez allegedly were given a portion of the funds they stole as payment for committing the armed robberies. Combating cross-border criminal activity is a critical component of the overall safety, security and well-being of our nation. The three alleged Southeast enforcers charged in the indictment are Raul Cavillo, 33, Joel Nunez, 39, and Carlos Padilla Jr., 35, all of Chicago. An official website of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Immigration Authority Delegation Program 287(g). Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Incas are considered the highest authority within a chapter and oversaw the unlawful affairs of the Latin Kings in their areas, according to the indictment. Delgado also faces a drug-related charge for allegedly distributing cocaine in Chicago in April 2014. <br> <br>kendavidson <br> <br>According to documents in the case, Toney was a member of the Latin Kings street gang for most of his adult life, including being a local leader of Hammond Latin Kings for a period of time. 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. Mr. 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 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. Attorneys Brian Wallach, Derek Owens and Vikas Didwania are representing the government in the Cavillo, et al, case. The Latin Kings is a. Two other gang associates were sentenced Monday on related charges. They were linked to the Latin Kings, then allied with the Maniac Latin Disciples. The 66-year-old Colon, Pissetzky said, has high blood pressure, hypertension and prediabetes. His attorney argues that the child that committed that murder a half century ago is incomparable to the person who sits in jail today.. "It's chilling.". 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. 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. During the attempted murder, the two enforcers, Efrain Medina, 26, of Maywood, and Jose Pena, 21, of Melrose Park, personally discharged a firearm that left the victim badly injured and permanently disfigured, according to the indictment. Of those 31 defendants, 24 pleaded guilty, four were convicted at trial, and three remain fugitives. "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. Chavez is a convicted felon who is also charged with illegally possessing a Smith & Wesson .38-caliber pistol in Chicago in the summer of 2014, the indictment states. Assistance was also provided by the Hammond (Indiana) Police Department, and the East Chicago (Indiana) Police Department. The friend pointed to Burr and told Colon to shoot that Black mother.. HAMMOND, IN. Feds: Chicago cops helped Latin Kings with Chicago, Indiana crimes By Michael Puente. 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. 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. The Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation ( ALKQN, ALKN, or LKN, also known as simply Latin Kings) is one of the largest Hispanic and Latino street and prison gangs worldwide. David Capp, the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Indiana, said Vargas led two lives that stretched across state lines. 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. Mark Anthony Toney a/k/a "Slim," 37, of Lake Village; 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. United States Attorney David Capp announced federal racketeering charges against nine additional members of the Latin Kings: Reynaldo Robles a/k/a "Sneaky," 24, of Portage; He was not a cartel leader from Mexico like Chapo or anything like that.. Episode 5: What's it like to be a special agent with HSI? (Jason Meisner / Chicago Tribune) (Chicago Tribune). Baez shot into the bar, striking and killing Raudel Contreras, while Gamino served as a lookout. U.S. Attorney Zachary Fardon, FBI Chicago Special Agent in Charge Michael Anderson, and Chicago Police Supt. Feds charge dozens of alleged Latin Kings in sweeping conspiracy. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Meanwhile, the feds in Northwest Indiana also indicted several alleged gang members on Tuesday. Capp said the crime rate dropped dramatically after the federal crackdown on regional gangs. The Latin Kings indictment included accounts of 12 homicides in Chicago, six in Indiana and two in Texas. 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. 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. But the real business of the Almighty Latin Kings is violence, federal authorities say. Garcia was among a total of 31 co-defendants who were indicted in September 2008 or charged in a superseding indictment in October 2009. Delgado is charged with being a felon in possession of a loaded Tauras .380-caliber semi-automatic pistol in Chicago, the indictment states. Attorneys Brian Wallach, Derek Owens and Vikas Didwania, Northern District of Illinois, are representing the government in the Cavillo, et al, case. Colon then walked over to a girl who was in Burrs group. Colon absolutely deserves this opportunity to finally be out and be with his family and be free after all these years in custody, Pissetzky said. The investigations were conducted under the umbrella of the OCDETF program, a partnership between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. announced the charges. Paul Vasquez is charged with attempting to transfer a loaded Tec-DC9 semi-automatic pistol to other Latin King members on Oct. 25, 2015, in Chicago, according to the indictment. Heres how, Magic set, Cubs memorabilia featured on Show & Tell, 9@9: The science of chemistry between people, Dean cooks sheet pan spinach-basil quiche, Deans Home Video: Season 3 of The Mandalorian, Windshield covers and other handy gear you need for, 18 trendy cowboy boots to wear this winter, 18 books youll want to read on Dr. Seuss Day, Chicago mayor finalists layout plan for future, Winfield police investigate womans death as homicide, US Attorney John Lausch announces resignation, David Brown resigns as CPD Superintendent, Back-to-back hurricanes more likely to happen: Study, Al-Qaida chiefs pattern of life was key to death, Hospital bills $847 facility fee for Zoom call, Whats next in unprecedented case of truck driver. 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. During the attempted murder, the two enforcers, EFRAIN MEDINA, 26, of Maywood, and JOSE PENA, 21, of Melrose Park, personally discharged a firearm that left the victim badly injured and permanently disfigured, according to the indictment. 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. It is alleged that Uvalle drove Nicholas Baez and Antonio Gamino to the bar and handed Baez a firearm. He put the gun to her head and pulled the trigger, but it didnt fire. 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. Several other firearm-related offenses are charged in the indictment. Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, CFD: 1 injured, building collapses in West Town fire. "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. The indictments unsealed Tuesday in Chicago charged 34 alleged members of the Latin Kings with racketeering conspiracy, including several "regional enforcers" responsible for keeping gang members in line, as well as high-ranking members known as "Incas," who oversee members, and their seconds in command, called "Caciques." CHICAGO - Twenty-six alleged members and associates of the Latin Kings street gang are facing federal narcotics charges, most of them for their alleged roles in one of two drug-trafficking organizations that supplied and distributed multi-kilogram quantities of heroin, cocaine and marijuana in Chicago and the south suburbs. Federal and local law enforcement began making arrests earlier this week. Operation Checkmate resulted in the arrest of 21 people, including two top gang leaders. A group of older members were referred to as the junior circle or older circle, while a group of younger members were referred to as the Pee-Wee or Shorty circle. HAMMOND, Ind. The multi-jurisdiction investigation started in 2013. Lock The indictment alleges that, on Oct. 28, 2014, James shot and killed Hurtado Sr. in Hammond believing that he was Martin Hurtado Jr., whom James believed was a rival gang member. Prosecutors said Vargas was in charge of the gangs southeast region, including the south side of Chicago and northwest Indiana. According to the indictment, Bernal hired two Chicago police officers to hand over drugs, guns and cash to gang members. 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. 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. The charges include the attempted murders of rival gang members and a Melrose Park Police officer. It is a well-organized street gang that has specific leadership and is composed of regions that include multiple chapters. 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. Garcia and Zambrano were the highest-ranking Latin Kings to be convicted and sentenced since Gustavo Gino Colon, who also holds the title of Corona, was sentenced to life in prison in 2000. Colon fired three more rounds into Burrs body after Burr fell to the ground, according to court records. The Latin Kings indictment included accounts of 12 homicides in Chicago, six in Indiana and two in Texas. "This serves as a warning to others that we will continue to come at them with everything we have," said Chicago Police Supt. 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. Several of the defendants were arrested this week and have begun making initial appearances in federal court in Chicago. From its origin and base in the west side Little Village community, the Latin Kings spread throughout Chicago and Illinois and established branches in other states, where local leaders acted with some autonomy but adhered to the rules and hierarchy of the Chicago gang, according to the evidence in the five-week federal trial. "If theres any member of a criminal organization in northwest Indiana or south Chicago continuing to operate, were going to get you. 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. 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. 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