United States Attorney David Capp

Northern District of Indiana

M01-204 S. Main Street

South Bend, IN 46601

Hammond                                                 South Bend                                               Fort Wayne

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                         CONTACT: Mary L. Hatton April 19, 2011                                                                                    PHONE: (219) 937-5603 www.usdoj.gov/usao/inn/                                                                   Fax: (219) 852-2770ALLEGED MEMBER OF ALMIGHTY LATIN KINGS AND QUEEN NATION CHARGED WITH RACKETEERING CONSPIRACY INVOLVING MULTIPLE MURDERS

Hammond, Indiana—The United States Attorney's Office announced the following indictment was returned on April 19, 2011:

A second superseding indictment returned today by the federal grand jury in Hammond charges Ivan Quiroz, 29, of Posen, Ill., with conspiracy to engage in a racketeering activity. Previously charged in the conspiracy are: Alexander Vargas, 33, of Highland, Indiana, Sisto Bernal, 44, Jason Ortiz, 27, Brandon Clay, 23, and Martin Anaya, 40, all of Chicago, Illinois.Quiroz is charged also in the second superseding indictment with two counts of murder and two counts of using and carrying a firearm to commit murder during and in relation to a crime of violence. The second superseding indictment specifically alleges that Quiroz participated with Vargas, Ortiz, Clay and other Latin King members in the murder of rival gang members James Walsh and Gonzalo Diaz outside of a bar in Griffith, Indiana, in the early morning of Feb. 25, 2007. The superseding indictment also alleges that Ortiz, Clay and Anaya participated in the murder of Christiana Campos on April 22, 2009. In addition to the violent crimes, the superseding indictment alleges that the Latin Kings also distributed more than 150 kilograms of cocaine and 1,000 kilograms of marijuana.

According to the second superseding indictment, the Latin Kings is a nationwide gang that originated in Chicago and has branches throughout the United States. The Latin Kings is a well organized street gang that has specific leadership and is comprised of regions that include multiple chapters. The Latin Kings enforces its rules and promotes discipline among its members, prospects and associates through murder, attempted murder, conspiracy to murder, assault, and threats against those who violate the rules or pose a threat to the Latin Kings.

This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Drug Enforcement Administration; the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Office of Homeland Security Investigations; the National Gang Targeting, Enforcement & Coordination Center; the National Gang Intelligence Center; the Chicago Police Department, the Griffith Police Department; the Highland Police Department; the Hammond Police Department; and the Houston Police Department. 

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David Nozick, and Trial Attorney Joseph A. Cooley of the Department of Justice Criminal Division’s Gang Unit. 

            The United States Attorney's Office emphasized that an Indictment is merely an allegation and that all persons charged are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.

            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.