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Press Release

Former Member of Massachusetts Latin Kings State Leadership Sentenced for Racketeering Conspiracy

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Massachusetts
Defendant was Secretary of Massachusetts Latin Kings Leadership

BOSTON – The former Secretary of the Massachusetts Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation (Latin Kings) was sentenced today on racketeering charges.

Francisco Lopez, a/k/a “King Cisco,” 43, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge Rya W. Zobel to nine years in prison and three years of supervised release. In February 2020, Lopez pleaded guilty to conspiracy to conduct enterprise affairs through a pattern of racketeering activity, more commonly referred to as RICO conspiracy.

During the course of the investigation, Lopez attended numerous meetings of the Latin Kings State Leadership, and hosted meetings at his residence in Chelsea. During these meetings, crimes of violence and the business of the gang were discussed and decided.

Additionally, Lopez sold over 200 grams of cocaine base to a cooperating witness. During the search of the Lopez’s Chelsea residence in December 2019, 50 grams of fentanyl, 50 grams of heroin and a loaded Glock firearm were recovered.

The Latin Kings are a violent gang comprised of thousands of members across the United States. 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.

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. Lopez is the 30th defendant to be sentenced in the case.

Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; 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 today. Valuable assistance was also provided by the FBI North Shore Gang Task Force and the Bristol County and Suffolk County District Attorney’s Offices.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Philip A. Mallard and Lauren Graber of Mendell’s Criminal Division prosecuted the case.

The operation was conducted by a multi-agency task force through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), a partnership between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering organizations, and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply. More information on the OCDETF program is available here: https://www.justice.gov/ocdetf/about-ocdetf.

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

Updated June 10, 2021

Topic
Violent Crime