[46], The evolution of the ALKQN has been viewed by outside sources as being assisted by the addition and greater role in which Queen Loki and Queen Vailor have played, exposing the ALKQN to a greater range of cross-class supporters than would have been possible prior to their integration. This includes a strict hierarchy with office holders relying on promotion and demotion, governing by "elected organizational bodies such as the Crown Council and Supreme Team," and "a formal membership directory with full biographical records of members," as explained by theCanadian Journal of Sociology. : Chicago Latin Kings, eta and Brotherhood. The "cultural program" designation was bestowed through government sponsored programs to assist gangs with integration into society and is led by Latin Queen Melody, Erika Jaramillo. They were signed "ADR," which could stand for "Amor del rey," a well-known greeting of the group. Other important trends found among members of the LK gang are as follows: Most confirmed that their gang has written rules and that their gang has adult leaders who have been in the gang for a very long time, and that their gang holds regular meetings, that their gang has a treasury, and that their gang has existed for about 20 years. 55.1 percent have been in court-mandated psychological counseling or therapy. As written by former gang member Reymundo Sanchez in "My Bloody Life," it is often hard to not fall into addiction, being surrounded by the drug business most of the time. The next day after the burglary, the cops went postal on us. A substantial amount of documentation relating to the gang and its organization, as well as gang paraphernalia such as necklaces to denote rank within the gang, black and gold flags, neckscarves and rings, was also confiscated. 95.1 percent worry about the safety of their family members. The head was the only body part that could not be sliced up into smaller pieces. This was supposed to prove my toughness," details Sanchez. Such things like failing to share drug earnings with each other or disrespecting a higher-ranking member can be brought before a gang court, an internal organization consisting of elected members. If this rule is broken, the member is first warned by having to do "50 push-ups or stand in push-up position for 10 or 20 minutes." [99], The inner circle of the Latin Kings in Madrid was dismantled when fifty-four members were arrested during a police operation carried out in February 2010. Typical member has an average of 16.8 prior arrests. After building a RICO case against the gang, the ATF and local police arrested eighteen members during a series of coordinated raids on November 19, 2009. On July 1, 1989 a correctional officer at the Stateville Correctional Center, Lawrence Kush, Jr., was assassinated by the Latin Kings while on the job. [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. [31] In 1991, Felipe was returned to prison after a short release for parole violations stemming from the receipt of stolen goods. ("Terminate On Sight") to all Latin Kings for the murder of Cartagena. Lusinski was killed because Vallodolid thought he was a rival gang member. [58] Latin Kings North Side faction leader Gustavo "Gino" Colon was sentenced to life in prison as a result of the case. Latin Kings associating with New York State Bloodline chapter also identify themselves as the "Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation" (ALKQN). Their beads are black and gold in a sequence of 5 black followed by 5 gold. Branches then followed in Barcelona, Valencia and Murcia. A KINGS RESPECT IS 360 DEGREE STRONG. In the dining hall that night, only the gangs that did not know the real recipe for the meatloaf ate their food. 2019. According to "The Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation," by David C. Brotherton and Luis Barrios, the gang promotes social responsibility. [83], Eric "King E" Thomas, leader of the Rhode Island chapter of the Latin Kings, was arrested and charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine in December 2019. That is for years. Their colors are Black and Gold (yellow is use in place of gold). The Morning Calldoes note that the Latin Kings emphasize respect among members. Columbia University Press, Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Top Latin Kings gang leader sentenced to 60 years, Toronto woman faces deportation for gang ties. 11.5 - Age first saw some killed or seriously injured by gang violence. While members are presumed lifetime members, they still are susceptible to being screened, as King Angelico notes in his account. Several gangmembers were charged with assault and unlawful imprisonment, among other things. [94] Four Latin Kings members, including Ecuadoran citizen Flavio Mauricio Reyes-Criollo who founded the Canadian branch of the gang in 2003, were ordered deported from Canada in July 2010. This is often done by writing over or adding to it, notes the Muscatine Journal. Ecuador legalized gangs. We tried one of the hand grenades in Humboldt Park, it left a crater. As witnesses told the court, the Latin King member knew she was transgender as he dated her for quite a while, but because this was a serious violation of the gang's rules, he claimed that "Well, it was my life or his.". Seeking such goals has attracted a wide variety of females who had been drug addicted, victimized and/or neglected by families, spouses and partners. After the initiation beating, Sanchez was given the notebook with rules, Nation Literature, and was told whichprayer he had to memorize until the next meeting. We discounted it at the time, but information developed over the years and culminated in hard evidence. When a member is absent for the fourth time without a valid excuse, they are discharged from the organization. Drug trafficking, assault, burglary, homicide, identity theft and money laundering, Probation for a period ranging between two weeks and two months, can be imposed in addition to other punishments, Fines (Multas) may also be used as a way to recoup the expense of gang property when it is destroyed or lost by a member, Stripping the member is stripped of rank and titles, unlikely to ever rise to the previous rank again, Suspension the member is stripped of all offices and duties, is not permitted to wear the colors, and is addressed as a novice, Community service particular assignments made on a case-by-case basis, B.O.S. The Celestial Chapter Search the history of over 797 billion The Almighty Latin King Nation is a American street gang founded in Chicago in 1940 and active mostly in Chicago.Latin King documents reveal a man by the name "Gino Gustavo Colon" (a.k.a. The decision to join the Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation is one that affects every aspect of your life as well as everyone in it. [59], Augustin Zambrano a ranking "Corona" within the Latin Kings, making him the highest-ranking member outside of prison and responsible for overseeing the activities of factions of the gang was among eighteen leading Latin Kings members charged with racketeering conspiracy as part of a federal indictment against the gang's hierarchy. He suggests that this makes "a potent mixture for troubled ghetto kids whose lives lacked structure and hope. The two whacko's replied "he is one of our own", not one of yours. To this day, the official position of the Illinois Department of Corrections is that "Rolez escaped a day before his parole when a tour of church visitors was in the facility". After the significant disruption of the Lawrence chapter in February 2004, information provided by cooperating defendants led to the significant disruption of the Springfield chapter in June 2005. Information within these profiles may vary from region-to-region and should not be used to 100% document gang membership, activity and/or gang crimes. As explained by Reymundo Sanchez in his book, "My Bloody Life," a new potential member has to prove himself to the gang first before he can be considered for going through the process of initiation. [49] Nelson Luis Millet, president and highest-ranking officer in the Connecticut Latin Kings, was sentenced to life in prison in January 1996. Skipping meetings can lead to a violation, probation, and physical punishment. 23.0 - Age they expect to get legally married to someone. Starks was spared the death penalty (see: Jerry Shnay, "Inmate is spared death penalty: Prisoner convicted in guard's death awaits sentencing",Chicago Tribune, March 15, 1994). Most of the new graffiti targeted the Holland police, threatening police officers but also other gangs. The arms and legs were then chopped into smaller pieces. Officers are supported by a "Crown Council" of the 5 Crowns Council members. [citation needed] The Latin Queens constituted the female Queen Anubis and Queen Maat of the ALKQN. Membership is estimated to be as large as 7,500, divided among several dozen tribes operating in 15 cities across five states. Twelve leaders of the Bethlehem Sun Tribe of the Latin Kings were indicted on racketeering charges last year. [76], Carlos Gil, "Warlord" or enforcer, of a Latin Kings chapter in Sunset Park, Brooklyn was convicted on May 11, 2007 for the murder of Jorge Rodriguez, a member of a Flatbush, Brooklyn-based Latin Kings chapter who was shot and killed on October 14, 2001 for associating with another gang in violation of the Latin Kings' rules. 94.9 percent have been suspended from school, 65.4 percent have been expelled from school. Why did the Latin Kings target correctional officers? [70], A year-long investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Saint Paul Police Department (SPPD) known as Operation Wild Kingdom culminated in the arrests of twenty-six Latin Kings members and associates on federal narcotics and firearms trafficking charges during a series of arrests carried out across the Twin Cities area on March 7, 2006. TERRORIST GROUP, 1989 ASSASSINATION OF CORRECTIONAL OFFICER LAWRENCE KUSH. The other 39 members were sentenced to an average of 20 years in prison for their roles in the crimes. Members of the Chicago branch of the Latin Kings cherish a history that includes the theft of military ordnance; the murder and subsequent cannabilization of. The general male members are called Reyes or Kings; their wives or girlfriends are called Queens. And to our knowledge the Illinois Department of Corrections still lists the victim as an "escapee". [22][23][24] The gang was founded by Puerto Ricans in Chicago, Illinois in 1954. 8.8 - Age first heard anything about "gangs". Multi-racial Primarily Hispanic of Latin decent. : Five Black followed by five Gold for members, five Black followed by two Gold for executive members. (Photo by Nicolas Enriquez) [95], The Latin Kings in Spain were founded in Madrid in February 2002 by Ecuadorian national Eric Javier Vara Velastegui. The sentences they are likely to. Also the school motto of Wellingborough School . From kissing a crown before the supreme leader to how they cross their arms is all regulated, the authors note. [88] Gang-related violence escalated on Milwaukee's South Side after the indictments as a perceived lack of leadership in the Latin Kings prompted rival gangs to attempt takeovers. Then one arm, then the other arm. One of the two whackos is still serving his life sentence in Stateville. Other funds are raised from membership dues and extortion both from the community and inside correctional facilities. one disobedient inmate member; consorting with a notorious terrorist group; and a high school riot over a Coca-Cola poster. 66.7 percent are willing to die for their gang friends. 72.8 percent felt "there is hardly anything lower than a person who does not feel a great deal of love, gratitude, and respect for his/her mother", while only 57.5 percent felt the same way about father. The NYPD also notes that membersmust read and fully understand any literature provided by the executive crown members. No, they were upset because I had broken the rules by becoming a junkie.". Total expenses. [91], Four people were injured after Latin Kings members attacked a former member at a subway station in Toronto on 22 June 2007. [46], The Latin Queen agenda is composed of self-respect, independence, family support, ethnic identity and self-empowerment. 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. 69.3 percent had other family members who are in a gang. the almighty latin king nation is 360 degrees strong. Let us share some information from middle-management leaders of the Latin Kings who were in fact in this same penitentiary and were directly knowledgeable of the Kush assassination: "Kush was the type of officer who came to work to do his job, he was young. In Spain, the etas are the main rivals of the Latin Kings. The acceptance of females in the gang is common to most factions. The Latin King gang is one of the most violent gangs in the United States today, with leaders unafraid to order "hits" on law enforcement and correctional officers with followers unashamed to obey their orders. They asked him to "grind" up the body parts in the older meat grinder that was there, a very large commercial grade meat grinder. We first learned of this true story in 1992. It is different than that of the original LK Manifest in the original chapter in Chicago,Illinois also known as "The Motherland". Keep in mind, the East Coast Latin Kings have a very different written constitution than that of the original Chicago Latin Kings. The journal also notes that the manifesto instructs members to "forgo criminality" and strive towards "a revolution that will bring freedom to [their] people.". [98] In February 2011, Velastegui had an additional four years added to his sentence after being convicted of directing the gang from prison, while lieutenants Jose Fabricio Icaza and Maria Torres were sentenced to three-and-a-half years' and two years' imprisonment, respectively. : The content of these gang profiles are compiled from years of investigations, training, gang member and subject matter expert interviews, confiscated gang paraphernalia, historical research, etc. These can be found in a document known as the King Manifesto. According to the Chicago Tribune, rules demand that members are "willing to engage in violence," even if that means beating up their fellow members. The first week of March is known as King's Week or The Latin Kings Week of the Sun, which is the gang's annual anniversary celebration, and the last week in October is celebrated as the "Week of Blood" (via Gang Enforcement). Consortium of Physicians From Latin America is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Tustin, CA, which was founded in 1993 and most recently had $45,969 in revenue and no employees. [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. [22], The hierarchy rises to regional officers and ultimately to two supreme regional "Incas" based in Chicago. These Latin Kings were prosecuted in Will County, Illinois, and there was some thought among our informants that the prosecution was bungled. The membership in Chicago is estimated to be 20,000 to 35,000. [74] On June 29, 2018, Japhet Lopez was sentenced to fifteen years' imprisonment, Kiele Lopez was sentenced to seven years', and Rodriguez was sentenced to eight years'. Shortly before the bells rung for the inmates to go to evening chow in the inmate dining room, two gangs already had much advance warning about what not to eat that night. [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 King members commemorate three times throughout the year. 15.6 - Age at time we surveyed them for this profile. King Angelico gained the status of an "ancient king," meaning that even though he is not active in group activities anymore, the gang will "always ride for him and with him." And another prohibits police cooperation. He was not like Officers ____ and ___ who were shake-down artists, who really started it, they started fucking with Lord Gino, Lord Gino told themI was doing time before you were born, so fuck off, they didn't back off, in fact they searched Lord Gino's cell, Lord Gino had a strainer in his cell used for mixing and preparing cocaine and it had cocaine residue on it, Kush wrote up Gino, then Gino told our mob:I want Kush hit today.". The second warning is a one-minute of beating in front of everyone. The almighty Latin king and queen nation: Street politics and the transformation of a New York City gang. Besides that, if he goes to prisonand doesn't agree with how the gang is running inside, he can take them to task and have the freedom to get "the castle" in order. on June 19, 2008, Though primarily thought of as a gang, the LK has quasi-political and quasi-religious aspects. The main source of income for the Latin Kings is moneys from the lucrative illicit drug trade. Guide our thoughts with your righteousness. The Latin Kings also use a three point crown, and the points stand for knowledge, wisdom, and understanding. Fifteen Latin Kings leaders were imprisoned as a result. Includes some other documents. According to the New York Police Department(NYPD), their graffiti helps mark their territory. The gang also discriminates on the basis of sexual orientation through strict rules about homosexuality: "Any member that participates in homosexual activities will be suspended from the Nation pending an investigation by the Chapter Crown Council," as per the NYPD. The Latin Kings use the logos ALKN, ADR, LK, 5-POINTED CROWN AND 5-POINTED STAR. [52], The Latin Kings are one of the few organized street gangs operating in the state of Delaware. Gil was sentenced to life in prison. Sociologists studying the Latin Kings and Queens have observed the different methods in which both groups attempt to "reclaim and regulate" their environments. On the menu for the evening meal that night at Stateville Penitentiary was "meat loaf". [85], John Guerrero, a member of the Latin Kings' Boston, Massachusetts chapter, was sentenced to thirteen years' imprisonment on February 14, 2020 after pleading guilty to the distributing at least 2.8 kilograms of crack cocaine in the Franklin County area and for trafficking at least thirty illegally purchased firearms from Vermont to the Boston area. 91.0 percent indicated "I believe in God", and 28.2 percent expected to go to hell in the afterlife. [87] According to the indictment, the gang members were responsible for nine murders, twenty-one attempted murders, nine robberies, three arsons or attempted arsons, five kidnappings and drug dealing over an eleven-year period. Because Rolez was basically in the same gang, just in a different geographical unit, Baby King approach the leader of the northside chapter of the LKN, Gino Colon, and got his "blessing" to change Carlos Robles permanently before he is released. [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. Abig part of the contemporary organization structure was created on the basis of the Chicago "Motherland" chapter in 1986, when Luis Felipe (King Blood) established the "Bloodline" chapter in New York, positioning himself as the leader. 120 in knowledge . In 1986, while in prison, Felipe started his own chapter of the Latin Kings known as the Bloodline. Our information comes from the 2nd in command (a Prince) of the gang at that time who is now a federal informant in the witness protection program. 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