Though prison phone calls are recorded, Colon frequently discussed gang business with his wife, Marisol. It's a further example that gang crime does not stop at Chicagos borders and can even reach into the bucolic suburbs and small towns that few would ever associate with gangland drug deals and murders. Could new DNA tech crack the JonBenet Ramsey case? Mario A. Hernandez, 41, of Maywood, is a convicted felon who allegedly illegally possessed a Smith & Wesson 556-caliber rifle. It has been called Dr. Seuss Day because of this. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Named in today's two-count superseding indictment are: This fifth superseding indictment alleges a conspiracy to commit . A single common name can be shared by many plants. During periods when the M-Town section was split into an older and younger circle, each circle had its own set of leaders, but the ranking members of the younger circle still reported to the ranking members of the older circle, according to the indictment. The indictments allege that members of the Latin Kings violently enforced discipline within its ranks and retaliated against rivals and former members to prevent cooperation with law enforcement. (Jason Meisner / Chicago Tribune), Voters place 62 on new Chicago police councils, Chicago police officer fatally shot on Southwest Side in exchange of gunfire: officials, Chicago police Superintendent David Brown to exit CPD this month in the wake of mayoral election, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. MARIO A. HERNANDEZ, 41, of Maywood, is a convicted felon who allegedly illegally possessed a Smith & Wesson 556-caliber rifle. And let us not forget that the crime that he stands convicted of is a drug offense, nothing more or nothing less.. "In what other organization is it just part of doing business to set aside funds for the funerals of your members?" Capp said the crime rate dropped dramatically after the federal crackdown on regional gangs. Included within the Midwest Region of the Latin Kings were numerous sections of the gang, including the Maywood section and the Melrose Park section, which collectively were referred to as the M-Town section. "Once we made all these arrests and got these individuals off the street, the homicide rate -- for instance up in East Chicago -- dropped down to like one or two,'Capp said. Garcia was among a total of 31 co-defendants who were indicted in September 2008 or charged in a superseding indictment in October 2009. A 2012 Florida Department of . CHICAGOA Chicago man alleged to be a "Corona" of the Latin Kings, making him the highest-ranking leader outside of prison and responsible for overseeing the illegal activities of all. 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. 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 U.S. Attorney's Office announced charges against 36 members of the gang in two indictments, one focusing on the gang's activity on the Southeast Side of Chicago and the other on their. During the course of the multi-year probes, law enforcement agents confiscated more than 40 firearms, including two AR-15 assault rifles. The Latin Kings indictment included accounts of 12 homicides in Chicago, six in Indiana and two in Texas. Other regional chapters operated in the south suburbs of Blue Island, Dolton, Harvey and Chicago Heights, as well as in Kankakee and communities across the border in Indiana, according to the indictment. "We are grateful to the FBI and other law enforcement agencies for their hard work in conducting this investigation and making these arrests and we are pleased to have been able to lend Melrose Park Police officers to assist," said Melrose Park Mayor Ron Serpico. 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. During the two-month trial, prosecutors played dozens of recorded phone calls that illustrated Colons control of the Latin Kings. "I think it is a major setback for the Latin King nation operating in this region," Fardon said. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David J. Nozick, and Joseph A. Cooley, Trial Attorney, United States Department of Justice - Organized Crime and Gang Section. Authorities uncovered the alleged gang activity through dual investigations conducted under the umbrella of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). But the real business of the Almighty Latin Kings is violence, federal authorities say. The hierarchy within the M-Town section was similar to the rankings in other Latin King sections, including the roles of Incas, Caciques, Enforcers, Soldiers and others, the indictment states. 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His wife was found guilty on three counts. 12 Latin Kings Gang Members Indicted In Indiana January 25, 2017 / 6:57 AM / CBS Chicago CHICAGO (CBS) -- Twelve members of the Latin Kings gang are now facing narcotics distribution. 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. The indictments brought in Chicago on Tuesday target two factions of the Latin Kings, one that operates on the city's Southeast Side, several southern Cook County suburbs as well as in. Colon was arrested two months after the shooting. Combating cross-border criminal activity is a critical component of the overall safety, security and well-being of our nation. The charges include the attempted murders of rival gang members and a Melrose Park (Illinois) police officer. "Theres a constant pressure into the neighboring communities,'Capp said. And one plant can have many . The Latin Kings is a well organized street gang that has specific leadership and is comprised of regions that include multiple chapters. The National Read Across America Day takes place every year on March 2, Geisels birthday. "I still run into people who think that these criminal organizations, like the Latin Kings, are a Chicago problem," said David Capp, U.S. Attorney for Northern Indiana. 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. Several leaders of the M-Section, including three Incas and three Caciques, have been charged in the indictment. HAMMOND - United States Attorney Thomas L. Kirsch II announced federal racketeering and drug conspiracy charges against 6 members of the Latin Kings, a criminal enterprise operating in Chicago and Northwest Indiana. Fifty years ago this week June 27, 1971 Gustavo Colon, a teen Latin King, shot and killed Glenn Burr, a teen Vice Lord, at the intersection of Potomac Avenue and Leavitt Street. 26 Feb Feb - A Latin Kings street gang member was sentenced Wednesday to 15 years in federal prison for racketeering conspiracy and other crimes in support of the gang. The 36th defendant is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm. Jimenez collected dues from the chapters as a way of financially supporting the activities of the region, the indictment states. Garcia, also known as DK or Disciple Killer, together with Augustin Zambrano, the leader, or Corona, of the Latin Kings, and two additional defendants were found guilty in April 2011 of running a criminal enterprise to enrich themselves and others through drug trafficking and preserving and protecting their power, territory, and revenue through acts of murder, attempted murder, assault with a dangerous weapon, extortion, and other acts of violence. Each chapter is typically named after the city in which it operates, or by a street or streets that run through the chapter. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our, Feds charge dozens of alleged Latin Kings in sweeping conspiracy. The purpose of the assault was to maintain and increase their position in the Latin Kings, the indictment states. Miguel Angel Marines, or "Egg," of East Chicago; Rafael Cancel, 35 of Hammond; and; Kash Lee . The charges, which name more than four dozen alleged gang members in Indiana and the Chicago area, also detail how the Latin Kings organization enforces discipline within its own ranks and retaliates against rivals and former members to prevent cooperation with law enforcement. They operate with the efficiency and structure of a large corporation, with orders flowing down from the top, an employee handbook of rules to follow and a disciplinary system for those who violate the organization's standards. [22] [23] [24] The gang was founded by Puerto Ricans in Chicago, Illinois in 1954. If granted release, he has his family, counseling services and a job waiting for him. The gang's current membership is estimated to be 20,000 to 35,000. 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 announcing sweeping federal indictments against some of the street gang's top regional leaders Tuesday, prosecutors alleged the gang employs brutal means to protect its turf, including beatings, murder, arson and even the attempted murder of a suburban cop who was suspected of working for the FBI. Sample Page; ; Woman with tuberculosis to be arrested unless she gets treatment, Former Morgan Park HS baseball player killed while away at college, Explosive found in checked luggage at Pa. airport, man in custody. The investigations were conducted under the umbrella of the OCDETF program, a partnership between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. 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. According to the indictments filed in this case, the Latin Kings is a nationwide gang that originated in Chicago and has branched out throughout the United States. 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. The M-Town section was divided into two groups, known as circles, the indictment states. 219 S. Dearborn St., 5th Floor Zambrano, 52, was sentenced to 60 years in prison in January 2012. The specific sentence in each case to be imposed upon conviction will be determined by the judge after a consideration of federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines. The officer was assisting FBI agents at the time of the attempted killing, according to the indictment. The officer was assisting the FBI. 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