3 '. Official websites use .gov 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. In the old days, receiving a key to the city actually opened some physical doors. 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. Other videos were shot at locations where Latin Kings members were murdered and feature threats to other gangs, court documents say. This has fostered a culture of institutional violence and secrecy. Everyone undoubtedly thinks of the New Bedford Whaling Museum when they look for an indoor day in the city. 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. Bedford Who Charity Con 8 is being held this month and offering 10% off tickets for readers of Doctor Who News. Massachusetts U.S. Attorney Andrew Lelling called the Latin Kings one of the largest criminal organizations in the world.. 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. Lugo admitted that she conspired with other Latin Kings members and leaders to possess cocaine base (also known as crack cocaine) with the intent to distribute it. 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. Johnson is a current member of the New Bedford Chapter of Latin Kings. As part of the plea agreement, Avitable has agreed to forfeit the three apartment buildings that he owned in the City of New Bedford. Lopez-Velez is a probationary member of the New Bedford Chapter of the Latin Kings. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Valentin-Soto is a member and the former Cacique of the New Bedford Chapter of the Latin Kings. Time after time, we uncovered their planning of brazen acts of violence against those who ran afoul of the gangs manifesto and constitution, he said. 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. 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. 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. 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. View this $1800000 4 bed, 3.0 bath, 4875 sqft single family home located at 27 Marcus Garvey Blvd built in 1931 on Zillow. Springfield:413-785-0235 In total, 62 alleged gang members were charged nine of which were already in custody and eight of which are now fugitives. The Latin Kings are known to sell cocaine, fentanyl and heroin. Just two months later, in September 2019, he and other gang members shot and struck a victim with a gun later found in Santiago-Torres' apartment. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. Authorities say they were cooking. In October 2019, a juvenile Latin Kings member was murdered steps away from one of the trap houses.. Now, 48 years later, officials have identified the 'Lady of the Dunes. Velazquez is a current member of the New Bedford Chapter of the Latin Kings. Boston Office: BOSTON - A former leader of the New Bedford Chapter of the Massachusetts Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation (Latin Kings) was sentenced today on racketeering and drug charges. He also has an open case related to a May 2018 shooting incident. The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. 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. 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. A locked padlock Mendez is the 50thdefendant to be sentenced in the case. 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. Boston Office: Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip A. Mallard of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit prosecuted the case. Two missing children, boys 14 and 16, were also recovered during the operation. 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. 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. U.S. Senior District Court Judge Rya W. Zobel scheduled sentencing for June 10, 2021. BOSTON A Boston man has been indicted in connection with the September 2022 robbery of a bank in Brookline. }. The government recommended a sentence of 18 months incarceration. Richard Neals long quest for Trumps tax returns is finished. The remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. Santiago is a current member of the New Bedford Chapter of the Latin Kings. Springfield:413-785-0235 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. 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. The 14 devotions, or stations, focus on specific events of His last day, beginning with His condemnation. Owner of New Bedford Guide. 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. Here are descriptions from his bios of the city players: Jose Rodriguez is the current Inca for the New Bedford Chapter of The Latin Kings, and is the brother of Jorge Rodriguez and Roberto Vargas. Have a question about Government Services? Among 11 active Latin Kings chapters in Massachusetts, New Bedford was singled out in the affidavit for its "extremely. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. 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. Boston Office: Required fields are marked *, 7 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. Rodriguez is the 38th defendant to be sentenced in the case. Bonavolonta said law enforcement learned of the gangs planned violence over and over throughout the investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Orlando Santiago-Torres, a/k/a KING LANDY. 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. 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. However, there are actually quite a few museums throughout New Bedford for a wide range of interests. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF. Cecchetelli is alleged to be the conduit between each of the Eastern Region states and the Latin Kings national leadership in Chicago. Police in New Bedford say. King K-Milly, 19, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to conduct enterprise affairs through a pattern of racketeering activity, more commonly referred to as RICO conspiracy. 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. Attorneys Emily Cannon and Philip Mallard of Lellings Organized Crime and Gang Unit are prosecuting the cases. 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). Specifically, in August 2019, she conspired with others to obtain cocaine base from members of the Latin Kings in New Bedford for resale. 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. Mendez also participated in a shooting of two victims in May 2018. 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 . The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF. 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.. Attorneys Philip A. Mallard of Mendells Organized Crime and Gang Unit prosecuted the case. December 26, 2019. Cecchetelli allegedly reigned over 14 states, from Massachusetts to Florida, pulling the strings from his Springfield home. 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. Following the murder of a Latin Kings member in October 2019, and while serving as Inca of the New Bedford Chapter, Rodriguez was recorded during a Latin Kings meeting instructing members to attack rival gang members without seeking his specific approval for the acts of violence. 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. Springfield:413-785-0235 MLS #. These apartment buildings, referred to as "trap houses" by the Latin Kings, were used by the gang in furtherance of the racketeering conspiracy. Official websites use .gov 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. An official website of the United States government. An official website of the United States government. Listen to: Girlfriends With roots leading back to his hometown of San Francisco, 18-year-old Gibson SG-wielding phenom Asher Belsky was all but predestined to make musical noise. 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. Avitable worked directly with Jorge Rodriguez, a.k.a. 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. To get at gang leadership, you almost always need a highly placed cooperating source, he said.