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. Charging documents are available here.

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.

During one of the arrests in New Bedford this morning, FBI Boston recovered two missing children: a 14-year-old boy from New Bedford, and a 16-year-old boy from Fall River.

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 following defendants have been charged:

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, Queen Sophia

Fitchburg, Member

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