______________________________________________________________________________
THURSDAY,
AUGUST 2, 2012 (202)
514-2007
WWW.JUSTICE.GOV TTY
(866) 544-5309
Chicago
Police Officer AND THREE MEMBERS OF THE ALMIGHTY latin kings NATION PLEAD GUILTY
TO a Racketeering Conspiracy AND other Related Charges
WASHINGTON
– A Chicago police officer and three members of the Almighty Latin Kings Nation
pleaded guilty to a racketeering conspiracy and other related charges in a superseding
indictment involving alleged members or associates of the Latin Kings, announced
Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Justice Department’s Criminal
Division and U.S. Attorney David Capp of the Northern District of Indiana.
Chicago
police officer Alex Guerrero, 42, pleaded guilty today before Judge Rudy Lozano
of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, in Hammond,
Ind. Guerrero pleaded guilty to counts
one, two, 14 and 15 of the third superseding indictment charging him with
conspiracy to participate in racketeering activity; conspiracy to possess with
intent to distribute and distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and 1,000
kilograms or more of marijuana; interference with commerce by threats or
violence; and use and carrying of a firearm during and in relation to crimes of
violence and drug trafficking. As part
of his plea agreement, Guerrero acknowledges that a 19-year prison sentence is
appropriate.
The third superseding indictment, which charged 21
defendants, was returned by a federal grand jury in the Northern District of
Indiana on Nov. 16, 2011, and was unsealed on Nov. 18, 2011.
According
to the third superseding indictment, the Latin Kings is a nationwide gang that
originated in Chicago and has branched out throughout the United States,
including to Texas. The Latin Kings is a well organized street gang that has
specific leadership and is comprised of regions that include multiple
chapters.
On
July 31, 2012, Brandon Clay, 26, of Chicago, and Antonio Gudino,
30, of East Chicago, each pleaded guilty before Judge Lozano to count one of the
third superseding indictment charging them with
conspiracy to participate in racketeering activity. As part of their plea
agreements, Clay and Gudino have each acknowledged
that a prison sentence is appropriate – 30 years for Clay and 10 years for Gudino. On July 30,
2012, Jason Ortiz, 30, of Chicago pleaded guilty before the same judge and to the
same count as Clay and Gudino. As part
of his plea agreement, Ortiz acknowledges that a 25-year prison sentence is
appropriate.
Guerrero
admitted in the plea agreement that he is responsible for possession of and
distribution of 150 kilograms or more of cocaine as alleged in count two. He also admitted in the plea agreement that
he physically restrained the victim in the course of the offense alleged in count
14. Guerrero admitted that he abused a
position of public trust in a manner that significantly facilitated the
commission or concealment of the offense.
The
following defendants were charged in the third superseding indictment:
·
Alexander Vargas, 34, aka “Pacman,”
of Highland, Ind.;
·
Sisto Bernal, 46, aka
“Cisco” and “Shug,” of Chicago;
·
Jason Ortiz, 30, aka “Creeper,” of Chicago;
·
Brandon Clay, 26, aka “Cheddar,” “Swiss,”
“Slick,” of Chicago;
·
Martin Anaya, 41, aka “Left,” of Chicago;
·
Ivan Quiroz, 30, of Posen, Ill.;
·
Hiluterio Chavez, 41, aka “Tails,” and “Zeus,” of Chicago;
·
Dante Reyes, 35,
aka “DK,” of Mission, Texas;
·
Sergio Robles,
24, aka “Checko,” of Hammond, Ind.;
·
Emiliano Esparza, 40, aka “Ken Milleano,”
“Kent,” and “Double G,” of Chicago;
·
Paulino Salazar, 30, aka “Chino,” of Chicago;
·
Santiago Gudino, 28, aka “Creeper,” of Hammond;
·
Gabriel Jalomos, 25, aka “Sneaky,” of Chicago;
·
Oscar Gonzalez,
22, aka “Puppet,” of Hammond;
·
David Lira, 38,
aka “Flaco,” of Lansing, Ill.;
·
Victor Meza Jr.,
23, aka “Shadow,” of Hammond;
·
Antonio Gudino, 30, aka “Chronic,” of Indiana, Ind.;
·
Bianca Fernandez,
23, of Chicago;
·
Serina Arambula, 23 of Chicago;
·
Alex Guerrero,
42, of Chicago; and
·
Antonio C.
Martinez Jr., 41, of Chicago.
Jose Zambrano, 32, aka “Speedy,” aka “Bird,” aka “Big Greasy,” of Sauk Village, Ill., and Jermaine Ellis, 23, aka “J-Dub,” “Donnie Brosco,” “Shorty” of Chicago, were both charged in the first indictment returned on June 17, 2010, and unsealed on June 29, 2010.
As
alleged in the third superseding indictment, 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. Members are required to follow the orders of
higher-ranking members, including taking on assignments often referred to as
“missions.”
A
total of 23 members and associates have been indicted in this case. Of these defendants, 17 have pleaded guilty
and are awaiting sentencing. There are three defendants scheduled for trial on
Sept. 10, 2012, before Judge Lozano.
There remains one fugitive in this case, Paulino Salizar, 30, aka “Chino,”
from Chicago.
This
case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and
Explosives; the Chicago Police Department; the East Chicago Police Department; the
Drug Enforcement Administration; the FBI; the Griffith Police Department; the
Hammond Police Department; the Highland Police Department; the Houston Police
Department; Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Department of Homeland Security;
and the National Gang Intelligence Center.
The
case is being prosecuted by Joseph A. Cooley of the Criminal Division’s
Organized Crime and Gang Section and David J. Nozick of the U.S. Attorney’s
Office for the Northern District of Indiana. Andrew Porter of the U.S. Attorney’s Office
for the Northern District of Illinois provided significant assistance.
The
third superseding indictment is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are
presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of
law.
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