Owner of New Bedford Guide. Worcester:508-368-0100. A locked padlock Your email address will not be published. Mendez also participated in a shooting of two victims in May 2018. 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. These apartment buildings, referred to as "trap houses" by the Latin Kings, were used by the gang in furtherance of the racketeering conspiracy. 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.. 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). 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. Court documents indicate law enforcement used at least three confidential sources. Springfield:413-785-0235 Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Amsterdam. Among 11 active Latin Kings chapters in Massachusetts, New Bedford was singled out in the affidavit for its "extremely. Valentin-Soto is a member and the former Cacique of the New Bedford Chapter of the Latin Kings. The remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. 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. BOSTON A Boston man has been indicted in connection with the September 2022 robbery of a bank in Brookline. A December 2019 operation called "Operation Throne Down" saw 62 Latin Kings leaders, members and associates arrested and indicted for racketeering, drug trafficking, and firearms violations. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. 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 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. This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. 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. 1 Courthouse Way, Suite 9200 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. Attorneys Philip A. Mallard and Lauren Graber of Lellings Criminal Division are prosecuting the case. 1 Courthouse Way, Suite 9200 Of the 62 charged defendants in the raid, two remain in warrant status. He is captured discussing Latin Kings business and affairs and featured in a YouTube video with other members of the New Bedford Chapter depicting her wearing gang colors, and flashing gang signs. 2023 www.southcoasttoday.com. A locked padlock Here are some things that should be a benefit for the few fortunate enough to receive a key to New Bedford. As enforcer for the New Bedford Latin Kings,Vasquez approved a mission that involved shooting a victim in June 2019, the office stated. However, there are actually quite a few museums throughout New Bedford for a wide range of interests. 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. Required fields are marked *, 7 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. Members of the gangs East Coast leadership are among those charged, according to authorities. In February 2019, Paris fired multiple gunshots at rival gang members who were observed leaving a Latin Kings trap house. "King K-Milly," 19, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to conduct enterprise affairs through a pattern of racketeering activity, more . The Latin Kings are a violent criminal enterprise comprised of thousands of members across the United States. Lock During that incident, multiple Latin Kings members chased the two victims to a vehicle, surrounded the vehicle, and slashed their tires. The two great monetary corporations, the South-Sea Company and the Bank of England, made proposals to parliament on the 20th of May ensuing. The 14 devotions, or stations, focus on specific events of His last day, beginning with His condemnation. Rodriguez is the 38th defendant to be sentenced in the case. 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. Santiago is a current member of the New Bedford Chapter of the Latin Kings. Cotto is a member of the New Bedford Chapter and former Eastern Massachusetts Regional Officer for the Latin Kings. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. All rights reserved. Learn how your comment data is processed. Here are descriptions from . NEW BEDFORD The owner of multiple apartment buildings used by the New Bedford Latin Kings gang for dealing drugs has pleaded guilty to racketeering and drug conspiracy charges. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. The clerk, who was not aware of the scam, was struck by the robbers. 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. 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. December 26, 2019. The stations are commonly used as a mini pilgrimage as the individual moves from station to station. A February recording captures Barboza and others discussing the beating of an individual. 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. Bonavolonta said law enforcement learned of the gangs planned violence over and over throughout the investigation. All the profits from the day are going to be donated to two . .hide-if-no-js { Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Rivera is the 23rd defendant sentenced in the case. Orlando Santiago-Torres, a/k/a KING LANDY. 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. Richard Neals long quest for Trumps tax returns is finished. 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. 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. display: none !important; Figueroa is a current member of the New Bedford Chapter of the Latin Kings and former member of the Devon Street Kings Chapter. 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 Boston man has been sentenced for robbing a TD Bank branch in Cambridge. The properties were used by gang members to hide weapons,. 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. 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. 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. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS 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 . 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. Medina is the current Enforcer of the New Bedford Chapter of the Latin Kings. Amsterdam Tourism Amsterdam Hotels Amsterdam Bed and Breakfast Amsterdam Vacation Rentals Amsterdam Vacation Packages 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. 1 Comment. Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; 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. Thursdays widespread arrests involved seven FBI SWAT teams, three tactical teams, five supporting aircraft, and three canine units. 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. 2023 www.southcoasttoday.com. 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. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. 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. Receive the latest news and breaking updates, straight from our newsroom to your inbox. Other videos were shot at locations where Latin Kings members were murdered and feature threats to other gangs, court documents say. 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 An official website of the United States government. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. In 2010, law enforcement began to see an increase in street-level drug sales and violence in areas of the city known to be occupied by the Latin Kings. The following individuals have been charged by federal complaint: 17) Jordan Jorge, 20, of New Bedford18) Felicia Timoteo, 20, of New Bedford. 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. Served 20 years in the United States Air Force. 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. 0:00 / 1:54 Dozens of Latin Kings arrested in federal sweep WCVB Channel 5 Boston 195K subscribers Subscribe 964 Share 122K views 3 years ago Dozens of members of the Latin Kings gang have.