3.5 mi. Membership is predominantly Ecuadorian, although other Latin American and Spanish youths have also been recruited. It outlined many freedoms for the inhabitants of Rhode Island and was the guiding document of the colony's government (and that of the state later) over a period of 180 years.. The Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation (ALKQN, ALKN, or LKN, also known as simply Latin Kings) is one of the largest Hispanic and Latino street and prison gangs worldwide. Texas is exactly where federal marshals found Francisco about two weeks after Pine's death. [97] The Latin Kings were registered as a cultural association in Catalonia in September 2006. . Hector "Bebo" Salazar was sentenced to five years and nine months' imprisonment for distributing heroin, fentanyl and crack cocaine on November 18, 2019,[51] and Brian "Buddha" Matos was sentenced to four years and nine months' for trafficking cocaine and fentanyl on February 5, 2020. They have numerous "chapters" or "tribes" around the country[37] which adhere to a regional, state, and national system. The raid followed a fourteen-month investigation and resulted in the gang members being charged with conspiracy to commit racketeering. Patrulla 81. Big King - Rating: 5.0 / 5 (12 reviews) - Detailed ratings: not available . Epic East Providence, RI 3 weeks ago Be . Reviews on Latin Market in Providence, RI - Mi Quisqueya Supermarket, La Poblanita, Armando & Sons Meat Market, Tortillas La Mexicana, Sanchez Market [29] The Latin Kings have also organized chapters in numerous states and several Latin American and European countries. Fifteen Latin Kings leaders were imprisoned as a result. 1. Before the year's end, Adelfa Vera, also a Puerto Rican activist, attended a monthly universal and was given ALKQN beads by the present leadership. 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. Chris Walton Miranda Rae. [47], The Latin Kings in Connecticut started in the state's prison system in the late 1980s. On January 17, 1991, the body of 18 year old Christine Miller was found in a wooded area located at 2207 Hartford Ave, Johnston, RI. [62], Thirty-four alleged Latin Kings were charged with racketeering conspiracy in Chicago on July 26, 2016. Feds: Latin Kings leaders helped murder suspect Joel Francisco flee R.I. Welcome to the Cold Case RI page. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. [2] With the Latino community facing constant violence from Greek and Italian greaser gangs, the Imperials merged with various other Puerto Rican and Mexican street gangs to form the Latin Kings. In July he was arrested in a domestic attempted breaking and entering; police said he used a knife to try to break into the home of his ex-girlfriend. Pending Charges/. The two later burned and abandoned VanDerGroens car. JOHN KING April 12, 1986 GMT. However, the Latin Kings have evolved into a nationwide criminal organization with chapters in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, Florida, California and Illinois. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. The heads of the entire criminal organization are known as "coronas". [75], Twenty members and associates of the Latin Kings were charged on June 21, 1994 with various crimes including the murders of at least seven of their own members. Following the outbreak of internal gang violence, Luis Felipe and 19 others were charged with murder and racketeering; the indictment process ended in 1995 with 39 Latin Kings and 1 Latin Queen indicted under the RICO Act. Lara is citing his youth at the time of his crimes 18 and the fact that he didnt know Perry intended to kill VanDerGroen. [73] Japhet "King Japhet" Lopez, Kiele "King Forty" Lopez and Carlos "King Future" Rodriguez pleaded guilty to racketeering. Sepulvedas release under the First Step Act, Alleged gang leader argues for early release, Thousands of federal inmates to be released under 2018's First Step Act, also sought compassionate release from his life term, RI man seeks release from prison. A recording on Sept. 4 captured Francisco and another Rhode Island man allegedly involved in the Latin Kings, Eric Thomas, buying 186 grams of cocaine base from another defendant in the case and a cooperating witness. 2023 www.providencejournal.com. Seeking such goals has attracted a wide variety of females who had been drug addicted, victimized and/or neglected by families, spouses and partners. [50], An investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Gang Task Force and Hartford Police Department Vice and Narcotics Division into narcotics trafficking and associated violence in Hartford's South End by the Latin Kings resulted in two gang members being convicted for drug trafficking. I am ashamed of the person I once was. 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. In sum, the district court acted well within its discretion when it rejected Sepulveda's array of alleged extraordinary and compelling reasons for compassionate release, the appeals court said in a decision written by Judge Gustavo Antonio Gelp Jr. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren S. Zurier argued for the government, with William C. Dimitri representing Sepulveda. Instead, the court observed that Sepulveda was 20 years old and acted as the leader of the street gang, not a follower. Flora Alessandrini (Pisano) [77], In December 2011, thirteen Latin Kings members were indicted by a federal grand jury in Greensboro for conspiring to participate in a racketeering enterprise. Following the U.N. demonstration, Rafael Cancel-Miranda, another Puerto Rican nacionalista who spent 25 years in federal prison for the same crimes as Lebrn, attended a monthly universal. There is always something fun and exciting to do in Providence at night. [3], Latin Kings associating with the Motherland faction also identify themselves as "Almighty Latin King Nation" (ALKN); they make up more than 160 structured chapters operating in 158 cities in 31 states. From 1986 to 1994, the ALKQN solidified its status as a gang through crimes such as murder, racketeering, and other offenses covered under the RICO Act. [61] The gang's second-in-command, Vicente "Disciple Killer" (DK) Garcia, was sentenced to forty years in prison on related charges on February 11, 2013. [72], Four leaders of the Latin Kings in Newark were among fifteen people indicted on racketeering charges on July 13, 2017 as part of Operation Peddling Misery, an investigation by the NJSP and Division of Criminal Justice that targeted a drug distribution enterprise that was dealing large quantities of heroin and crack cocaine in the city. Laras motion for release comes as state Superior Court Judge Daniel A. Procaccini issued a ruling last month calling for state lawmakers to enact a mechanism for state judges to reduce sentences in cases in which defendants deserve a second look.. Order cake online for home delivery at reasonable charges. The harm to the petitioners is obvious: Release of 3 men convicted of murder as teens will proceed on orders of RI judge. [citation needed], The Latin Kings have a hierarchical organizational structure. King Blood) fled to New York. He's served 27 years for murder and didn't fire the gun. ", More:Do long sentences for young offenders merit 'second look'? The revelation about the Latin Kings alleged involvement in Franciscos flight comes as 62 people, including Francisco, were charged in an operation targeting the gang. For more information, please contact the U.S. Attorney's Office at 888-221-6023. Francisco was one of thirteen defendants charged with federal drug trafficking offenses in Operation Royal Flush, a multi-agency task force investigation Showing results in neighboring cities. [78] Nine were convicted of various crimes under the RICO act in August 2013, including Jorge Peter "King Jay" Cornell founder of the Latin Kings in North Carolina who was sentenced to serve twenty-eight years in prison. There must be some good I can bring to this world so that my life will not be a complete waste, Lara wrote to the court. VanDerGroens stepfather, William Neri, said Tuesday that the passage of time doesnt matter. If the member is found to be guilty of the violation at their Crown hearing, they may be subject to a range of penalties depending on the severity of the offense: L.A. Kaufman wrote in the February 2015 issue of New York Magazine that the Kings had a "unique mixture of intense discipline, revolutionary politics and a homemade religion called 'Kingism'". A court filing supporting the indictment runs to some 190 pages, describing what authorities allege was a pattern of murders, shootings, stabbings, drug dealing, witness intimidation and robberies committed by the Latin Kings. He took away something that cant be replaced, Neri said. He personally worked to help Francisco escape Rhode Island after Pine's death, authorities said. The three-judge panel ruled that Lisi was correct in finding that there were no extraordinary and compelling circumstances that warranted Sepulvedas release under the First Step Act. The Stable: This welcoming, convivial downtown gay bar is perfect for happy hour, pre-dance-club socializing, late-night hobnobbing, and conversationalthough it can get loud and crowded on weekends. Laras motion for release comes as state lawmakers last year took steps to give young offenders an opportunity to prove after serving 20 years that they were rehabilitated and possibly get their sentence reduced. The other, the University of Rhode Island, is . The last of the gang members was sentenced on November 27, 2018. Providence's best dance and entertainment nightclub with free secure parking lot located. [31][32] Felipe was charged with ordering the killing of William (Lil Man) Cartagena, who had been taken to an abandoned Bronx apartment and strangled, decapitated, mutilated and set on fire. Start here! Passed by Congress in 2018, the law gives federal judges discretion to consider whether extraordinary and compelling factors exist that justify the reduction of a prison sentence. And given the current state of sentencing, the court would be creating a serious sentencing discrepancy by allowing Mr. Lara to continue serving a life sentence , the order states. Website View Menu. Pretrial or Sentenced. Defendant. [71], Forty-seven Latin Kings members, including eleven holding senior leadership positions, were charged between October 2002 and May 2003 in connection with a New Jersey State Police (NJSP) investigation dubbed Operation Catapult. [84], In January 2016, Latin Kings member Juan "Chino" Rodriguez was sentenced to serve four-to-fifteen years in prison after being convicted of carrying out a drive-by shooting that injured a man in St. Johnsbury on July 15, 2014. The gang's illegal activities were uncovered during a multi-year investigation conducted under the umbrella of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). Authorities accused Lara and the others of committing killings, dealing in crack cocaine and heroin, maintaining a cache of firearms and ordering "beat-downs" in running the Providence Latin Kings chapter as a criminal enterprise. BOSTON A Boston man has been sentenced for robbing a TD Bank branch in Cambridge. He developed a leadership approach to the gang which has become a model for other Latin Kings regions of the country. Lara was a troubled youth who had suffered from gun violence and had begun on a path of addiction at the time he committed the crime. Looking for a Latin Musician in the Providence, RI area? Our menu features dishes with authentic Dominican ingredients and bold Latin flavor. He was convicted of trafficking crack cocaine and sentenced to life in prison in 2005. His decision to join a gang at a youthful age, although foolhardy, also reflects societal forces much bigger than him, McConnell wrote in the 40-page order. Sepulveda at the time served as the presidentof the Providence Latin Kings chapter and believed Mendez to be a leader of a rival gang. Over 1 million Americans are seeking treatment for substance use disorderhere's how it breaks down in Rhode Island. Assistant Attorney General Michael Burns said it was the first in Rhode Island ever to name the . 49.2%. 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. RI man seeks release from prison. 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. The year came to a close with Fernandez being arrested in December by the FBI for domestic abuse. But he was an early beneficiary of the First Step Act, a criminal-justice reform law signed by President Donald Trump in December, which retroactively extended sentencing reductions that had been put in place by then-President Barack Obama in 2010. The number of Rhode Islanders identifying as Hispanic or Latino rose from 130,655 people to 182,101 people between 2010 and 2020, and that group now represents 16.6 percent of the state population,. [79], A dozen Latin Kings members were among thirty-four people indicted on drug charges following a year-long investigation called Operation Royal Flush by the FBI, Cleveland Division of Police (CDP) and Cuyahoga County Sheriff's Office. [31], During this period, the Latin Kings began to gain some legitimacy within the Puerto Rican Nationalist movement, starting from when Lolita Lebrn, a member of the Puerto Rican Nationalist Party, who served 25 years in federal prison for her participation in an attack on the U.S. Capitol alongside other Puerto Rican militants in 1954, enlisted the New York State ALKQN to protect her during a demonstration in front of the United Nations headquarters. He faces a first-degree murder charge in Rhode Island state court, and the domestic breaking-and-entering charge against him is still open. [41], The Latin Kings operate under strict codes and guidelines that are conveyed in a lengthy constitution, and they follow the teachings of the King Manifesto. The charter contains unique provisions which make . PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) _ A murder and conspiracy indictment against seven men is the first in the state to specifically name the organized crime family reputedly headed by Raymond J. Patriarca, a prosecutor says. Rhode Island (RI) Providence Providence Restaurants Brunch in Providence Brunch Restaurants in Providence View map Sort by: Highest Rating 2022 1. [81], Twenty three people, including three members of the Latin Kings, were indicted in March 2019 as part of an investigation into a drug ring in Berks County. Princes 2 Kings Providence (P2K PVD) Rhode Island Department of Health funded male youth Mentorship program that serves inner-city youth. This is a collection of lists of early settlers (before 1700) in the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. 45 reviews Open Now. He earned his high-school. "Mr. Lara remains deeply remorseful for the tragic death of Temujin Vandergroen. Federal prosecutors have not responded to Laras motion. Providence, RI 02903-1345 - Read more on Tripadvisor. [46], The Latin Queen agenda is composed of self-respect, independence, family support, ethnic identity and self-empowerment. [63], Twenty-one Latin Kings were imprisoned for up to thirty years for a racketeering conspiracy involving two murders; the December 2003 murder of Jonathan Zimmerman in Hammond and the May 2008 murder of Jose Cortez in East Chicago. Five days after Pines stabbing death, Latin Kings leader Michael Cecchetelli told a cooperating witness they need to help Francisco get to Texas, where he will cross into Mexico with the assistance of Latin Kings members located there, federal prosecutors said. 67,974. He's currently part-time, serving in an artillery unit. The Latin Kings are currently under national leadership by two principle leaders, Gino Colon (Lord Gino) and Raul Gonzalez (Baby King). 57 ALKQN members have been indicted. Most of the lists are of the earliest inhabitants of a particular town or area. A locked padlock October 19, 2022. PROVIDENCE A federal judge on Wednesday agreed to release a formerAlmighty Latin King Nation gang member convicted in a deadly carjacking almost three decades ago based on his youth at the time of his crimes, rehabilitation, and the excessiveness of his sentence. 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. The order will take effect May 31. In addition to narcotics offenses, the trio were also charged with conspiring to shoot a rival. [86], Thirty-three members of the Latin Kings in Milwaukee were charged in a RICO indictment on June 19, 1998. 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. [60] Zambrano was convicted under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) of racketeering conspiracy and related charges involving narcotics trafficking and violence. Lowest-earning counties in Rhode Island . [28] Their greatest membership is within the United States; in the city of Chicago alone, the gang has more than 25,000 members. This has fostered a culture of institutional violence and secrecy. C minus. Lock The membership in Chicago is estimated to be 20,000 to 35,000. Sixty King Apartments 60 King Street, Providence, RI 02909 West Side View Available Properties Similar Properties $1,500+ TMI The Residences at Brentwood 1-2 Beds | 1-2 Baths 541-965 Sqft 5 Units Available $1,460+ 5 Regency Plaza Studio-3 Beds | 1-2 Baths 490-2072 Sqft 7 Units Available $2,214+ 2 Station Row Studio-3 Beds | 1-2 Baths 598-1383 Sqft Isla Bar & Grill has been proudly serving Rhode Islanders and beyond since 2017. His lawyer, Harlan Protass, quotes Justices Clarence Thomas and Antonin Scalia, who wrote that defendants who do not kill, intend to kill, or foresee that life will be taken are categorically less deserving of punishmentthan are murderers and that when compared to an adult murderer, a juvenile offender who did not kill or intend to kill has a twice diminished moral culpability.. Directions & Contact Language other than English spoken at home, percent of persons age 5 years+, 2017-2021. Given what scholarship reports and what law dictates, nothing in Mr. Laras history suggests a need for him to serve more than the 28 years he has already been imprisoned., More:RI man seeks release from prison. When reached after Laras filing last year to reduce his sentence, Neri said that the passage of time doesnt matter. The appeals ruling comes a week after Sepulvedas co-defendant, Giovanni Lara, also sought compassionate release from his life term. They later burned and abandoned Vandergroens car. On August 11, 2020, Thomas pleaded guilty to the charges, admitting that in August 2019, he conspired with others to purchase cocaine from members of the Latin Kings in New Bedford, Massachusetts for resale. A jury convicted Sepulveda in 1997 after a 41-day trial for his role in the murder of Jose Mendez, an 18-year-old Mount Pleasant High School student found shot in the head behind the Rhode Island School for the Deaf. (16) BBB Rating: A+. 0:49 PROVIDENCE Leaders of the Latin Kings gang worked to help a murder suspect flee Rhode Island and head for Mexico, federal authorities said in court documents unveiled Thursday. Sepulveda challenged his sentence under the First Step Act, arguing extraordinary and compelling circumstances demanded his release, namely his youth at the time of his crimes; the length of his sentence, the equivalent of life without parole; and his strides toward rehabilitation. It has 361 students in grades K-5 with a student-teacher ratio of 16 to 1. PROVIDENCE A federal appeals court has upheld a sentence of life in prison for the former leader of the Almighty Latin Kings street gang in Providence for racketeering and murder. [citation needed], In the early 1980s, to avoid imprisonment for his criminal activities in Chicago, Luis Felipe (a.k.a. Membership is estimated to be as large as 7,500, divided among several dozen tribes operating in 15 cities across five states. To further its efforts to legitimize, the organization began to hold monthly meetings (universals) at St. Mary's Episcopal Church in West Harlem. CAV Restaurant 384 reviews Closed Now International $$ - $$$ [95], The Latin Kings in Spain were founded in Madrid in February 2002 by Ecuadorian national Eric Javier Vara Velastegui. According to the court archives, Francisco punched the man in the face before Thomas shot him in the back of the head execution-style. [80], An eighteen-month investigation in York County, known as Operation Sunrise, resulted in the arrests of more than eighty people, including members of the Bloods, Crips and Latin Kings, and the seizure of heroin and cocaine with a street value of more than $300,000, 43 vehicles, seven guns, and more than $34,000 cash in February 2013. The Latin Kings are a violent criminal enterprise comprised of thousands of members across the United States. This letter and many others were how Felipe was initially linked to three murders on the streets of New York; testimony from former Kings was used as further evidence of the orders.