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. 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 . Paris is a current member of the New Bedford Chapter of the Latin Kings. Attorneys Philip A. Mallard and Lauren Graber of Mendells Criminal Division prosecuted the case. The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. 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. BOSTON A Boston man responsible for a leading large drug trafficking organization (DTO) pleaded guilty today to heroin and fentanyl conspiracy charges and possessing a firearm in furtherance of District of Massachusetts The government recommended a sentence of 18 months incarceration. Three apartment buildings in New Bedford were turned into "trap houses" used by the Latin Kings, according to federal prosecutors. 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. 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. Ines Lugo is the 16thdefendant to be sentenced in the case. 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 criminal organization. U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Massachusetts, Defendant instructed Latin Kings members to attack rival gang members, Former Leader of New Bedford Latin Kings Chapter Sentenced for Racketeering and Cocaine Conspiracy, Fitchburg Man Pleads Guilty to Wide-Ranging Cocaine Conspiracy, Boston Man Sentenced for Cambridge Bank Robbery, Leader of Boston Drug Trafficking Organization Pleads Guilty to Heroin and Fentanyl Conspiracy and Possessing a Firearm in Furtherance of Distribution Activities, Former Leader of New Bedford Latin Kings Chapter Sentenced For Racketeering and Cocaine Conspiracy. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found athttps://www.justice.gov/OCDETF. On January 4, UPROSE, Brooklyn's oldest Latino community based organization, held its first Three . 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. SportsNet New York ( SNY) is an American regional sports network owned by Sterling Entertainment Enterprises, LLC, itself a joint venture between the Fred Wilpon (which owns a controlling 65% interest) Sterling Equities, Charter Communications through its acquisition of Time Warner Cable in May 2016 (which owns 27%) and Comcast, through . According to a news release from Massachusetts US Attorney's office, Ines Lugo, a/k/a Queen China, 42, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge Rya W. Zobel to time served (approximately 47 days in prison) and three years of supervised release. 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. Lock This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. 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.. An official website of the United States government. 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. 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. Before the sun even came up Thursday, law enforcement officials in several Massachusetts cities and towns - including New Bedford - were busy arresting dozens of suspects charged in connection. All those charged were identified by their full names as well as nicknames such as King Nasty, King Fruity, and King Clumsy in charging documents. Valuable assistance was also provided by the FBI North Shore Gang Task Force and the Bristol County and Suffolk County District Attorneys Offices. 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. 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. Mendez is the 50thdefendant to be sentenced in the case. 1 Courthouse Way, Suite 9200 BOSTON A Boston man has been sentenced for robbing a TD Bank branch in Cambridge. Recordings from this year capture a cooperating witness purchasing cocaine from Valentin-Soto. Springfield:413-785-0235 Mendez is currently detained for a federal drug offense, pending in U.S. District. It is alleged that during the investigation, recorded undercover purchases revealed that over the last 18 months, the individuals arrested today sold narcotics in the New Bedford to cooperating witnesses and undercover officers. 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. 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. U.S. Senior District Court Judge Rya W. Zobel scheduled sentencing for June 10, 2021. In October 2019, a juvenile Latin Kings member was murdered steps away from one of the trap houses.. 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. 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. 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 Latin Kings are known to sell cocaine, fentanyl and heroin. Valuable assistance was also provided by the FBI North Shore Gang Task Force and the Bristol County and Suffolk County District Attorneys Offices. Official websites use .gov 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. This has fostered a culture of institutional violence and secrecy. And in 2021, Belsky released his debut EP, I . 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. 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. A violent criminal enterprise with thousands of members across the U.S., the Latin Kings sell drugs to generate revenue and engages in violence against witnesses and rival gangs, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. '. Valuable assistance was also provided by the FBI North Shore Gang Task Force, Bristol County and Suffolk County District Attorneys Offices. Those of Thursdays arrests that happened in Massachusetts were in Boston, Lowell, Springfield, Fitchburg, Chelsea, New Bedford, and Worcester. Avitable was originally arrested as part of Operation Throne Down in December 2019, in which 62 suspected Latin Kings and Queens and their associates were arrested, as 31 search warrants were executed at 24 locations including locations in New Bedford at 358 North Front Street and 239 Sawyer Street. In October Vasquez was violently terminated from the Latin Kings for violating a gang law forbidding fornication with the girlfriend of another member. Over 60 Members of Latin Kings Charged, 23 from New Bedford. Former Latin Kings Crown Council Chairman Angel Rodriguez (King Ace) pled guilty and his sentencing is scheduled for April, according to the United States Attorney's Office for the District of Massachusetts. Massachusetts U.S. Attorney Andrew Lelling called the Latin Kings one of the largest criminal organizations in the world.. 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, Heres What Happened to New Bedfords Jimmie Evans Flyer Diner. Receive the latest news and breaking updates, straight from our newsroom to your inbox. 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. Attorneys Philip A. Mallard and Lauren Graber of Lellings Criminal Division are prosecuting the case. In November 2020, Lugo pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine base. Assistant U.S. 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. 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. To get at gang leadership, you almost always need a highly placed cooperating source, he said. The 14 devotions, or stations, focus on specific events of His last day, beginning with His condemnation. 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. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Criminal activity in the eastern region is alleged to be overseen by 40-year-old Michael Cecchetelli, also known as King Merlin. 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. 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. 1 Comment. The stations are commonly used as a mini pilgrimage as the individual moves from station to station. 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. 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. 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. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. A lock ( 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. US Department of Justice A former member of the New Bedford Chapter of the Massachusetts Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation pleaded guilty this week to racketeering charges, but she won't be sentenced for another year. All rights reserved. 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. Owner of New Bedford Guide. Court documents indicate law enforcement used at least three confidential sources. 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. Mendez also participated in a shooting of two victims in May 2018. Guadalupe admitted to participating in an unarmed robbery committed in November 2019 by members of the Latin Kings in New Bedford. 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. The properties were used by gang members to hide weapons,. Boston, MA 02210, Boston:617-748-3100 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,. 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 . Both victims fled in the vehicle and survived. According to New Bedford Police report, on June 20, a convenience store on Purchase Street was robbed by two men carrying guns. 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. 1 Courthouse Way, Suite 9200 District of Massachusetts More than 500 law enforcement agents began making arrests around 4 a.m. Thursday after the four-year investigation into the gang. Statement of Mayor Jon Mitchell on federal raids in Massachusetts cities including New Bedford: I am grateful for the work of the U.S. Attorneys Office, along with the FBI and state and local law enforcement agencies, in undertaking such a comprehensive effort to neutralize the activities of the Latin Kings across New England. 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 . Assistant U.S. The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. 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. The remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. 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. The charges range from RICO conspiracy to drug trafficking and firearms abuses. 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. Vasquez is a former member of the New Bedford Chapter of the Latin Kings, and a former enforcer the New Bedford Chapter. The following individuals were arrested this morning and have been charged with federal narcotics violations: 1) Jouseph Caraballo, 38, of New Bedford2) Juan Serrano, 43, of New Bedford3) Terrill McKissack, 24, of New Bedford4) Raphael Pineda, 23, of New Bedford5) Gabriel Vaszquez, 25, of New Bedford6) Ezequiel Quinones, 39, of New Bedford (fugitive)7) Javier Natal, 22, of New Bedford8) Luis Guerra, 31, of New Bedford9) Giovanni Vale-Valentin, 22, of New Bedford10) Manuel Torres, 20, of New Bedford11) Jesus Carrasquillo, 22, of New Bedford12) Pedro Figueroa, 27, of New Bedford13) Ramon Sanchez, 20, of New Bedford14) Enoe Carrasquillo, 26, of Puerto Rico15) Jesmeil Ortiz, 21, of Puerto Rico (fugitive) 16) Mari Gomez, 43, of New Bedford. The remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. Multiple search warrants executed by the New Bedford Police Department targeted locations where Mendez resided, and drug were seized as a result. 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. At the end of the beating, an item believed to be a wallet or a cell phone was taken from the victims pants pocket. 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. All the profits from the day are going to be donated to two . Cecchetelli, a 40-year-old from Springfield with ties to the. The federal cases are being prosecuted by an Assistant United States Attorney in Ortizs Organized Crime and Gang Unit. 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. Lugo is the current secretary for the New Bedford Chapter of the Latin Kings. This morning, over 500 federal, state and local law enforcement officers arrested dozens of Latin Kings members and associates and executed 31 search warrants at 24 locations. Of the 62 charged defendants in the raid, two remain in warrant status. Valuable assistance was also provided by the FBI North Shore Gang Task Force and the Bristol County and Suffolk County District Attorneys Offices. The defendants are presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. 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. 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 state defendants will be prosecuted by District Attorney Sutters Office. Three houses in New Bedford were seized that Bonavolonta said the Latin Kings were using as trap houses to store and sell illegal narcotics, stash firearms, and shoot music videos posting about their love of violence.. Felix-Riveras membership in the Latin Kings has been confirmed by numerous recordings where he is present during discussion of Latin Kings business and affairs, on court-authorized interceptions with other Latin Kings members discussing Latin Kings affairs and drug distribution, presence at meetings and gatherings with other Latin Kings members. MLS #. Attorneys Emily Cannon and Philip Mallard of Lellings Organized Crime and Gang Unit are prosecuting the cases. 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. 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. 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 adhere to a national manifesto, employ an internal judiciary and use a sophisticated system of communication to maintain the hierarchy of the organization. Up through the 17th century, the area was the territory of the Wampanoag Native American people. Boston, MA 02210, Boston:617-748-3100 A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. In the chat, Lugo tells the other members, U bros better eat on them especially roger for knowing how we roll and still letting a [expletive] tho down our krown.. Lelling said hes hopeful that the operation quiets the gangs activity on the East Coast. 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. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip A. Mallard of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit prosecuted the case. 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. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. 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.