Over 60 Members of Latin Kings Charged, 23 from New Bedford

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Statement of Mayor Jon Mitchell on federal raids in Massachusetts cities including New Bedford:

“I am grateful for the work of the U.S. Attorney’s 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. 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.”

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.

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.

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. 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.

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. Cecchetelli is alleged to be the conduit between each of the Eastern Region states and the Latin Kings national leadership in Chicago. He developed a leadership approach to the gang which has become a model for other Latin Kings regions of the country.

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. 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 has fostered a culture of institutional violence and secrecy.

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 RICO conspiracy charge provides a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. 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. 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. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

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. Valuable assistance was also provided by the FBI North Shore Gang Task Force, Bristol County and Suffolk County District Attorney’s Offices.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Emily Cannon and Philip Mallard of Lelling’s Organized Crime and Gang Unit are prosecuting the cases.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendants are presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

The following defendants have been charged:

1.

Michael Cecchetelli

King Merlin

East Coast Team,

East Coast Overseer

2.

Esther Ortiz, Queen India

Meriden, CT

East Coast Team,

East Coast Crown Council Chairwoman

3.

Hector Manuel Vega, King Demon

Britian, CT

East Coast Team,

Crown Council Member, CT

4.

Jorge Rodriguez, King G

State Team, Cacique

Enforcer (Former)

5.

Michael Marrero, King Clumsy

State Team, Enforcer

Regional Officer (Former)

6.

Francisco Lopez, King Cisco

Chelsea, Mass.

State Team, Treasurer/Secretary

7

Gregory Peguero-Colon, King Trece

Springfield, Mass.

State Team,

Crown Council Chairman

8.

Juan Liberato, King Prodigy

Haverhill, Mass.

State Team, Inca (Former)

9.

Angel Roldan, King Big-A and Nelty

Lowell, Mass.

State Team, Cacique (Former)

Enforcer (Former)

10.

Frutuoso Barros, King Fruity

DOC, Supreme Regional Officer

11

Sandra Correa, Queen Dream

Peabody, Mass.

DOC, Secretary (Former)

12.

Shaun Harrison Rev

DOC, Member

13.

Vincent Dzierwinski, King Vice

DOC, Member

14

Wilson Peguero, King Dubb

Dorchester, Mass.

D5K, Inca

15.

Alexis Peguero, King Lexi/Looney

Dorchester, Mass.

D5K, Cacique

16.

Matthew Palacios, King Nene

D5K, Enforcer

17.

Steven Familia-Valdez, King Haze

Mattapan, Mass.

D5K, Member

18

Dante Lara, King Nasty

Providence, RI

D5K, Member

19

Robert Lara, King Rizz

Chelsea, Mass.

D5K, Member

20

Angel Abymael Ortiz, King Abby

Randolph, Mass.

D5K, Member

21.

Angel Rodriguez, King Ace

Dorchester, Mass.

D5K, Member

Crown Council Chairman for Boston

22.

Alexis Velasquez, King Booboo

Dorchester, Mass.

MSB, Inca

23.

Angel Calderon, King Bam

MSB, (Former) State Team Head of Security

24

Oscar Pena, King O-Block

D5K, Member

25.

Jose Rodriguez, King Stutter

New Bedford, Mass.

New Bedford, Inca

26.

Orlando Santiago-Torres, King Landi

New Bedford, Cacique

27.

Robert Avitabile a/k/a Bobby

New Bedford, Associate

28.

Taliyah Barboza, Queen Taliyah

New Bedford, Mass.

New Bedford, Member

29.

Josue Carrasquillo, King Playboy

Springfield, Mass.

New Bedford, Member

30.

Michael Cotto, King Gordo

New Bedford, Mass.

New Bedford, (Former) Regional Officer

31.

Juan Figueroa, King Pun

Dorchester, Mass.

New Bedford, Member

32.

Issac Felix-Rivera, King Izzy

New Bedford, Member

33.

Kevin Guadalupe, King Milly

New Bedford, Mass.

New Bedford, Member

34.

Shelton Johnson, King Shells

New Bedford, Mass.

New Bedford, Member

35.

Tyson Jorge, King Music

New Bedford, Member

36.

Emanuel Lopez-Velez, King Manny

New Bedford, Probationary Member

37.

Luis Mendez, King Primo

New Bedford, Member, Incarcerated

38.

Raekwan Paris, King D-Bo

New Bedford, Member

39.

Jayco Reyes-Smith, King Javy

Former New Bedford Member, now in North Carolina

40.

Luis Santiago, King Tiny

New Bedford, Member, Incarcerated

41.

Roberto Vargas, King Royalty

New Bedford, Member

42.

Jose Vasquez, King Fearless

New Bedford, Member

43.

Natanel Velazquez, King Nael

New Bedford, Mass.

New Bedford, Member

44.

Israel Rodriguez, King Imperial

Lynn, Mass.

North Shore, Inca

45.

Alfred Nieves, King Alfy

Lowell, Mass.

Lowell, Inca

46.

Marlon Rivera, King Pluto

Fitchburg, Member

D5K, Founder

47.

Ines Lugo, Queen China

New Bedford, Mass.

New Bedford, Secretary

48.

Jeremia Medina, King Sweepy

New Bedford, Mass.

New Bedford, Enforcer

49.

Bienvenido Nunez, King Apache

Enfield, CT

State Team, Inca

50.

Tanairy Ruiz, Queen Tanairy

New Bedford, Mass.

New Bedford, Member

51.

Xavier Valentin-Soto, King X

New Bedford, Member

(Former) Cascique, Incarcerated

52.

Joel Francisco, King Casper

Rhode Island, Member

53.

Eric Thomas, King E

Rhode Island, Inca

54.

Alvin Mojica, King Humble

Worcester, Inca

55.

Sophia Velasquez, Queen Sophia

Fitchburg, Member

56.

Dairon Rivera, King Mafia

Fitchburg, Member

57.

Hector Adorno, King Gordo

Springfield, Member

58.

Jesus Diaz, King Kiko

N. Shore, Member

59.

Henry Caribe, King 40cal

N. Shore, Member

60.

Jonathan Cassiano, King Legend

Springfield, Member

61.

Antoine Goodson

Associate, gun supplier to gang

62.

Derek Southworth

Associate, gun supplier to gang

About Michael Silvia

Served 20 years in the United States Air Force. Owner of New Bedford Guide.

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One comment

  1. DONT WORRY THE JUDGES WILL LET THEM OFF LIKE EVERY OTHER BUST LIKE THIS.

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