U.S. Department
of Justice
Press Release
Over 60 Members of Latin Kings Charged
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Massachusetts
Members of the East Coast and Massachusetts leadership arrested
BOSTON – The East Coast and Massachusetts leadership of the Almighty Latin Kings and Queen Nation (Latin Kings), including more than 60 members and associates, face federal charges.
This morning, over 500 federal, state and local law enforcement officers arrested dozens of Latin Kings members and associates and executed 31 search warrants at 24 locations.
According to court documents, the Eastern Region of the Latin Kings encompasses local chapters in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, and various other states along the eastern seaboard from Maryland to Florida. There are 11 active Latin Kings Chapters operating in Massachusetts: D5K (Boston), Morton Street Bricks (Boston), New Bedford, Springfield, Lynn/Salem, Chelsea, Lowell, Lawrence, Worcester, Fitchburg and within the Department of Corrections.
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. Cecchetelli is alleged to be the conduit between each of the Eastern Region states and the Latin Kings national leadership in Chicago. He developed a leadership approach to the gang which has become a model for other Latin Kings regions of the country.
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. This has fostered a culture of institutional violence and secrecy.
During the four-year investigation, law enforcement developed evidence that the Latin Kings trafficked drugs, conspired to murder more than 10 victims, and committed violent crimes including numerous incidents of robbery, shootings, stabbings and witness intimidation.
The RICO conspiracy charge provides a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Depending on the drug quantity, the drug trafficking conspiracy and distribution charges provide for a sentence of up to 20 years, 40 years, or life, a minimum of three, four or five years of supervised release and fines of $1 million, $5 million and $10 million. The charge of felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition provides a sentence of up to 10 years, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
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. Valuable assistance was also provided by the FBI North Shore Gang Task Force, Bristol County and Suffolk County District Attorney’s Offices.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Emily Cannon and Philip Mallard of Lelling’s Organized Crime and Gang Unit are prosecuting the cases.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendants are presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
###
Addendum
The following defendants have been charged:
| Number | Defendant | Role |
|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Michael Cecchetelli, King Merlin
|
East Coast Team, East Coast Overseer |
|
2 |
Esther Ortiz, Queen India Meriden, CT |
East Coast Team, East Coast Crown Council Chairwoman |
|
3 |
Hector Manuel Vega, King Demon Britian, CT |
East Coast Team, Crown Council Member, CT |
|
4 |
Jorge Rodriguez, King G |
State Team, Cacique Enforcer (Former) |
|
5 |
Michael Marrero, King Clumsy |
State Team, Enforcer Regional Officer (Former) |
|
6 |
Francisco Lopez, King Cisco Chelsea, Mass. |
State Team, Treasurer/Secretary |
|
7 |
Gregory Peguero-Colon, King Trece Springfield, Mass. |
State Team, Crown Council Chairman |
|
8 |
Juan Liberato, King Prodigy Haverhill, Mass. |
State Team, Inca (Former) |
|
9 |
Angel Roldan, King Big-A and Nelty Lowell, Mass. |
State Team, Cacique (Former) Enforcer (Former) |
|
10 |
Frutuoso Barros, King Fruity |
DOC, Supreme Regional Officer |
|
11 |
Sandra Correa, Queen Dream Peabody, Mass. |
DOC, Secretary (Former) |
|
12 |
Shaun Harrison Rev |
DOC, Member |
|
13 |
Vincent Dzierwinski, King Vice |
DOC, Member |
|
14 |
Wilson Peguero, King Dubb Dorchester, Mass. |
D5K, Inca |
|
15 |
Alexis Peguero, King Lexi/Looney Dorchester, Mass. |
D5K, Cacique |
|
16 |
Matthew Palacios, King Nene |
D5K, Enforcer |
|
17 |
Steven Familia-Valdez, King Haze Mattapan, Mass. |
D5K, Member |
|
18 |
Dante Lara, King Nasty Providence, RI |
D5K, Member |
|
19 |
Robert Lara, King Rizz Chelsea, Mass. |
D5K, Member |
|
20 |
Angel Abymael Ortiz, King Abby Randolph, Mass. |
D5K, Member |
|
21 |
Angel Rodriguez, King Ace Dorchester, Mass. |
D5K, Member Crown Council Chairman for Boston |
|
22 |
Alexis Velasquez, King Booboo Dorchester, Mass. |
MSB, Inca |
|
23 |
Angel Calderon, King Bam |
MSB, (Former) State Team Head of Security |
|
24 |
Oscar Pena, King O-Block |
D5K, Member |
|
25 |
Jose Rodriguez, King Stutter New Bedford, Mass. |
New Bedford, Inca |
|
26 |
Orlando Santiago-Torres, King Landi |
New Bedford, Cacique |
|
27 |
Robert Avitabile a/k/a Bobby |
New Bedford, Associate |
|
28 |
Taliyah Barboza, Queen Taliyah New Bedford, Mass. |
New Bedford, Member |
|
29 |
Josue Carrasquillo, King Playboy Springfield, Mass. |
New Bedford, Member |
|
30 |
Michael Cotto, King Gordo New Bedford, Mass. |
New Bedford, (Former) Regional Officer |
|
31 |
Juan Figueroa, King Pun Dorchester, Mass. |
New Bedford, Member |
|
32 |
Issac Felix-Rivera, King Izzy |
New Bedford, Member |
|
33 |
Kevin Guadalupe, King Milly New Bedford, Mass. |
New Bedford, Member |
|
34 |
Shelton Johnson, King Shells New Bedford, Mass. |
New Bedford, Member |
|
35 |
Tyson Jorge, King Music |
New Bedford, Member |
|
36 |
Emanuel Lopez-Velez, King Manny |
New Bedford, Probationary Member |
|
37 |
Luis Mendez, King Primo |
New Bedford, Member, Incarcerated |
|
38 |
Raekwan Paris, King D-Bo |
New Bedford, Member |
|
39 |
Jayco Reyes-Smith, King Javy |
Former New Bedford Member, now in North Carolina |
|
40 |
Luis Santiago, King Tiny |
New Bedford, Member, Incarcerated |
|
41 |
Roberto Vargas, King Royalty |
New Bedford, Member |
|
42 |
Jose Vasquez, King Fearless |
New Bedford, Member |
|
43 |
Natanel Velazquez, King Nael New Bedford, Mass. |
New Bedford, Member |
|
44 |
Israel Rodriguez, King Imperial Lynn, Mass. |
North Shore, Inca |
|
45 |
Alfred Nieves, King Alfy Lowell, Mass. |
Lowell, Inca |
|
46 |
Marlon Rivera, King Pluto |
Fitchburg, Member D5K, Founder |
|
47 |
Ines Lugo, Queen China New Bedford, Mass. |
New Bedford, Secretary |
|
48 |
Jeremia Medina, King Sweepy New Bedford, Mass. |
New Bedford, Enforcer |
|
49 |
Bienvenido Nunez, King Apache Enfield, CT |
State Team, Inca |
|
50 |
Tanairy Ruiz, Queen Tanairy New Bedford, Mass. |
New Bedford, Member |
|
51 |
Xavier Valentin-Soto, King X |
New Bedford, Member (Former) Cascique, Incarcerated |
|
52 |
Joel Francisco, King Casper |
Rhode Island, Member |
|
53 |
Eric Thomas, King E |
Rhode Island, Inca
|
|
54 |
Alvin Mojica, King Humble |
Worcester, Inca |
|
55 |
Sophia Velasquez |
|
|
56 |
Dairon Rivera, King Mafia |
Fitchburg, Member |
|
57 |
Hector Adorno, King Gordo |
Springfield, Member |
|
58 |
Jesus Diaz, King Kiko |
N. Shore, Member |
|
59 |
Henry Caribe, King 40cal |
N. Shore, Member |
|
60 |
Jonathan Cassiano, King Legend |
Springfield, Member |
|
61 |
Antoine Goodson |
Associate, gun supplier to gang |
|
62 |
Derek Southworth |
Associate, gun supplier to gang |
Updated January 11, 2021
Topic
Violent Crime
Component