Required fields are marked *, 7 Cecchetelli allegedly reigned over 14 states, from Massachusetts to Florida, pulling the strings from his Springfield home. 1 Comment. District of Massachusetts The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. In October 2019, a juvenile Latin Kings member was murdered steps away from one of the trap houses.. A February recording captures Barboza and others discussing the beating of an individual. Just two months later, in September 2019, he and other gang members shot and struck a victim with a gun later found in Santiago-Torres' apartment. District of Massachusetts The Stations of the Cross are a 14-step Catholic devotion that commemorates Jesus Christ's last day on Earth as a man. Listen to: Girlfriends With roots leading back to his hometown of San Francisco, 18-year-old Gibson SG-wielding phenom Asher Belsky was all but predestined to make musical noise. NEW BEDFORD FBI agents and New York Police Department officers raided two locations in the North End of New Bedford Thursday morning as part of a statewide crackdown on the Latin. BOSTON It's seven years in prison for a former enforcer for the New Bedford chapter of the Latin Kings gang who pleaded guilty last year to racketeering conspiracy. Luis Mendez, a/k/a King Primo, 41, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge Rya W. Zobel to 100 months in prison, with credit for time served in related state cases, and three years of supervised release. MLS #. Worcester:508-368-0100. 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. Worcester:508-368-0100. .hide-if-no-js { Feds say Latin Kings cooked cocaine and planned killings - masslive Assistant U.S. New Bedford Latin Kings bought houses they planned to renovate and flip in an elaborate scheme to launder drug money, feds say a move one organized crime expert called an indicator of how . Having taken out most of the leadership, its extremely difficult for the gang to regroup in this region and time soon, he said. 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. The defendants are presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. Lopez-Velez is a probationary member of the New Bedford Chapter of the Latin Kings. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF. BOSTON A former member of the New Bedford Chapter of the Massachusetts Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation (Latin Kings) was sentenced today on racketeering charges. Learn how your comment data is processed. The properties were used by gang members to hide weapons,. BOSTON It's seven years in prison for a former enforcer for the New Bedford chapter of the Latin Kings gang who pleaded guilty last year to racketeering conspiracy. Cecchetelli, a 40-year-old from Springfield with ties to the. 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. Those of Thursdays arrests that happened in Massachusetts were in Boston, Lowell, Springfield, Fitchburg, Chelsea, New Bedford, and Worcester. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS 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. Rodriguez conspired with other members of the Latin Kings to distribute controlled substances such as cocaine and cocaine base in New Bedford through a series of trap houses or multi-unit apartment buildings controlled by the Latin Kings. Street brawls, beatings, shootings and robberies regularly occurred within, or in front of, the apartment buildings. Attorneys Philip A. Mallard of Mendells Organized Crime and Gang Unit prosecuted the case. Boston, MA 02210, Boston:617-748-3100 Vasquez is a former member of the New Bedford Chapter of the Latin Kings, and a former enforcer the New Bedford Chapter. This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. 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 organization. In total, 62 alleged gang members were charged nine of which were already in custody and eight of which are now fugitives. 2023 www.southcoasttoday.com. The first snowstorm of the New Year delayed a Sunset Park holiday celebration, but not for long. In October was convicted of witness intimidation in New Bedford District Court, and placed on one year of probation. Before the sun even came up Thursday, law enforcement officials in several Massachusetts cities and towns - including New Bedford - were busy arresting dozens of suspects charged in connection. Kevin Guadalupe, a.k.a. A locked padlock Everyone undoubtedly thinks of the New Bedford Whaling Museum when they look for an indoor day in the city. He is captured discussing Latin Kings business and affairs and featured in a YouTube video with other members of the New Bedford Chapter depicting her wearing gang colors, and flashing gang signs. New Bedford police 'disappointed' at release of Latin Kings from custody Former New Bedford Latin Kings member sentenced on drug charges Have a question about Government Services? English colonists bought the land on which New Bedford would later be built from the Wampanoag in 1652, and the original . Follow Boston.com on Instagram (Opens in a New Tab), Follow Boston.com on Twitter (Opens in a New Tab), Like Boston.com on Facebook (Opens in a New Tab). NEW BEDFORD (CBS) - Forty-six people, many of whom are alleged Latin Kings street gang members, were charged Friday for state and federal drug law violations. Mendez also participated in a shooting of two victims in May 2018. Mendez admitted that these victims were targeted because one of the victims previously objected to Latin Kings members conducting drug transactions in the victims driveway. During the robbery, which was captured on video, the victim was chased down in the middle of a busy street, thrown to the ground and kicked and beaten by six members of the Latin Kings. The following individuals were arrested this morning and have been charged with state narcotics violations: 1) Jose Vale, 53, of New Bedford2) Tyrone Singleton, 39, of New Bedford3) Carl Robinson, 47, of New Bedford4) Irvin Olivero, 24, of New Bedford5) Michael Santos, 32, of New Bedford6) Diane Raposo, 33, of New Bedford7) Matthew Wilson, 26, of New Bedford8) Jason Chumack, 40, of New Bedford9) Sandra Torres, 39, of New Bedford, 1) Juvenile, 16, of New Bedford2) Michael Waldron, 34, of New Bedford3) Shane Valez, 23, of New Bedford4) Lizette Brown, 44, of New Bedford5) April Rose, 43, of New Bedford6) Evandro Martins, 25, of New Bedford7) Sunilda Ruiz, 46, of New Bedford8) Beinbenido Baez, 20, of New Bedford9) Yoneel Pagan, 19, of New Bedford10) Tavon Thomas, 21, of New Bedford11) Robert Woodard, 35, of New Bedford12) Anthony Douglas, 28, of New Bedford13) Meagan Cordeiro, 26, of New Bedford14) Curtis Britto, 23, of New Bedford15) Ronald Gonzalezstone, 32, of New Bedford16) Tanairy Ruiz, 24, of New Bedford17) William Figueroa, 30, of New Bedford18) Jerry Morales-Perez, 29, of New Bedford19) Luis Lopez, 27, of New Bedford. More than 60 members of the Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation commonly known as the Latin Kings are facing federal charges after the FBI and other agencies carried out a large-scale. King G, who at the time was second in command of the Latin Kings in Massachusetts. Over 60 Members of Latin Kings Charged, 23 from New Bedford DONT WORRY THE JUDGES WILL LET THEM OFF LIKE EVERY OTHER BUST LIKE THIS. Alleged leader of Latin Kings' violent New Bedford gang faces Court documents detail years of gang members conspiring to kill snitches, organizing for prisoners to be attacked via coded letters, and running a robust drug trafficking organization. Carrasquillo is a current member of the New Bedford Chapter of the Latin Kings. In February 2019, Paris fired multiple gunshots at rival gang members who were observed leaving a Latin Kings trap house. We found a few you might not have explored yet that are definitely worth the trip. In the old days, receiving a key to the city actually opened some physical doors. During that incident, multiple Latin Kings members chased the two victims to a vehicle, surrounded the vehicle, and slashed their tires. The charges range from RICO conspiracy to drug trafficking and firearms abuses. Following the murder of a Latin Kings member in October 2019, and while serving as Inca of the New Bedford Chapter, Rodriguez was recorded during a Latin Kings meeting instructing members to attack rival gang members without seeking his specific approval for the acts of violence. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Here are some things that should be a benefit for the few fortunate enough to receive a key to New Bedford. Sweep of Latin Kings gang nets 46 in Massachusetts Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. As part of his plea agreement, Avitable agreed to forfeit the three apartment buildings he owned in New Bedford that were used as trap houses by the Latin Kings. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS More than 60 Latin Kings members and associates arrested New Bedford Latin Kings bought houses they planned to renovate and flip in an elaborate scheme to launder drug money, feds say a move . "King K-Milly," 19, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to conduct enterprise affairs through a pattern of racketeering activity, more . Avitable was originally arrested as part of Operation Throne Down in December 2019, in which 62 suspected Latin Kings and Queens and their associates were arrested, as 31 search warrants were executed at 24 locations including locations in New Bedford at 358 North Front Street and 239 Sawyer Street. According to the U.S. Attorneys Office, Avitable rented apartments to Latin Kings members knowing they would be uses to sell, store and manufacture drugs. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. On June 15, 2021, Rodriguez pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base and to conspiracy to conduct enterprise affairs through a pattern of racketeering activity, more commonly referred to as RICO conspiracy. The victim was apparently targeted for selling drugs from a source that was not gang-approved. Mendez has historically held various leadership positions. Former Enforcer for Massachusetts Latin Kings Sentenced for Shortly after the shooting, Paris was captured on a recording made by a cooperating witness admitting to shooting at the rival gang members and firing eight shots but not striking anyone. An official website of the United States government. In November of 2020, Rodriguez was sentenced to 18 years in prison. Investigators obtained a series of Facebook messages from January related to the planned beating of an individual who had posted photographs of himself throwing up Latin Kings gang signs, though he is not affiliated with the gang. Here are descriptions from his bios of the city players: Jose Rodriguez is the current Inca for the New Bedford Chapter of The Latin Kings, and is the brother of Jorge Rodriguez and Roberto Vargas. 'Operation Throne Down' results in charges against dozens of Latin Lock Over the last several years, New Bedford has made considerable progress on improving public safety citywide, and the arrests today in our city will help us close the lid on violent crime in the near North End.. 1 Courthouse Way, Suite 9200 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. The charges stem from a long-term investigation into narcotics sales in the area. The remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. BOSTON A former member of the New Bedford Chapter of the Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation (Latin Kings) was sentenced Wednesday on drug conspiracy charges. Recordings from this year capture a cooperating witness purchasing cocaine from Valentin-Soto. The 14 devotions, or stations, focus on specific events of His last day, beginning with His condemnation. New Bedford, Massachusetts - Wikipedia Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Have a question about Government Services? New Bedford Latin Kings Member 'King K-Milly' Pleads Guilty - 1420 WBSM NEW YORK, June 8 (Reuters) - Forty-six people who authorities say are members or associates of the Latin Kings street gang face narcotics trafficking charges after a major drug sweep in.