There were 54 people apprehended Thursday, of which nine were already in custody and eight others are still being sought in an predawn raid that included more than 500 law enforcement officers, he said. / CBS Boston. Officers seized the three stash houses Thursday morning as part of a federal operation that led to charges against more than 60 alleged Latin Kings members, including at least 46 from. The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. Alvin Mojica's. Patch editor Dave Copeland contributed to this report. Others face gun possession charges. United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Commissioner Carol Mici of the Massachusetts Department of Correction; and Worcester Police Chief Steven M. Sargent made the announcement today. SAC Joe Bonavolonta, US Attorney Andy Lelling & MA DOC Commissioner Carol Mici announce charges against 62 leaders & members of the Almighty Latin King & Queen Nation in MA, RI, CT & NJ in connection with 'Operation Throne Down,' the largest takedown in #FBI Boston's history. Alvin Mojica, named by feds as the current "Inca," or leader of the Worcester Latin Kings, had his COVID-19 release request rejected last month by federal Judge Marianne Bowler when he . Leader of Worcester Latin Kings Chapter Pleads Guilty to Drug Worcester Latin Kings Leader Sentenced for Drug Distribution 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. BOSTON (AP) More than 60 members of the Latin Kings have been arrested on federal racketeering, drug and firearms charges, including the leaders of the street gang's East Coast operations,. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. At the time, he was the leader of the Worcester based Chapter of the Latin Kings. Federal authorities say that Alvin Mojica sold cocaine in Worcester. U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Massachusetts, Leader of Worcester Latin Kings Chapter Sentenced on Drug Distribution Charges, https://www.justice.gov/ocdetf/about-ocdetf, Fitchburg Man Pleads Guilty to Wide-Ranging Cocaine Conspiracy, Leader of Boston Drug Trafficking Organization Pleads Guilty to Heroin and Fentanyl Conspiracy and Possessing a Firearm in Furtherance of Distribution Activities, New York Man Indicted for Firearms and Narcotics Trafficking, Leader of Worcester Latin Kings Chapter Sentenced On Drug Distribution Charges. U.S. Senior District Court Judge Rya W. Zobel scheduled sentencing for Oct. 28, 2020. 31-Year-Old Fitchburg Man Pleads Guilty to Several Drug Charges. The highest-ranking member arrested was Michael Cecchetelli, of Springfield, who went by the name "King Merlin" and oversaw the east coast operations of the Latin Kings. BOSTON A Fitchburg man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Worcester to his role in a wide-ranging fentanyl, heroin, crack and cocaine trafficking conspiracy. An official website of the United States government. LEOMINSTER -- Police on Friday morning were looking for an allegedly "high-ranking" member of the Latin Kings street gang when a search of his Jerome Place home turned up heroin and drug packaging, according to a report from Detective Joseph L. Siciliano Jr.. Worcester Latin Kings Leader Gets Supervised Release In Drug Case An official website of the United States government. More information on the OCDETF program is available here: https://www.justice.gov/ocdetf/about-ocdetf. A 31-year-old Fitchburg man pleaded guilty in federal court to several drug trafficking charges related to distribution of cocaine and fentanyl. Last Updated March 23, 2021 1:17 PM. Alvin Mojica, a leader of the Latin Kings gang in Worcester, pleads guilty to federal drug charges - masslive.com Prosecutors said Mojica admitted to selling roughly 14 grams of cocaine to. Please enter valid email address to continue. WORCESTER - A leader of the Worcester Chapter of the Massachusetts Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation [Latin Kings] was sentenced on Wednesday, October 28, to time served and three years of supervised release on drug distribution charges. Have a question about Government Services? The Latin Kings members sold cocaine, crack cocaine, fentanyl and marijuana to earn money for the gang and pay their dues, according to the indictment. Twelve Latin Kings Indicted for Drug and Firearms Offenses Prosecutors had asked a judge for an 18-month prison sentence. "It will be extremely difficult for the gang to regroup in the region.". 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.. Worcester Man One of Sixty-Two Latin Kings Arrested, Holy Cross Football Hosts Harvard at Polar Park in September. FBI Boston (@FBIBoston . Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip A. Mallard and Mark Grady of Lellings Criminal Division are prosecuting the case. WORCESTER, MA A Worcester man is one of 62 people who have been charged in connection to a bust of the Latin Kings street gang across three states. This will be the first time the festival has been held outside since 2019. WORCESTER, MA A Worcester man is one of 62 people who have been charged in connection to a bust of the Latin Kings street gang across three states. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. As alleged in court documents, the gang uses drug distribution to generate revenue, and engages in violence against witnesses and rival gangs to further its influence and to protect its turf. BOSTON (AP) More than 60 members of the Latin Kings have been arrested on federal racketeering, drug and firearms charges, including the leaders of the street gang's East Coast operations, authorities announced Thursday. 1 review of Willy's Latin Cuisine "Willy's Latin Cuisine opened recently in the former Taco Caliente on Chandler Street offering Mexican and El Salvadorian food. 4 from area held in Latin Kings sting - telegram.com A lock ( 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. Leader Of Worcester Latin Kings Pleads Guilty To Drug Charge Wednesday, October 28, 2020 For Immediate Release U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Massachusetts BOSTON - A leader of the Worcester Chapter of the Massachusetts Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation ("Latin Kings") was sentenced today on drug distribution charges. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Behind bars: How Massachusetts jails are working to break up Latin ( Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. The interaction was captured by audio/video. Mojica, also known by the name "King Humble," was arrested in December 2019. Federal authorities said Mojica sold about 14 grams of cocaine to a person who was cooperating with investigators. Valuable assistance was also provided by the FBI North Shore Gang Task Force and the Bristol County and Suffolk County District Attorneys Offices. The highest-ranking member arrested in December was Michael Cecchetelli, of Springfield, who went by the name "King Merlin" and oversaw the east coast operations of the Latin Kings. District of Massachusetts The remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. ", $MMT = window.$MMT || {}; $MMT.cmd = $MMT.cmd || [];$MMT.cmd.push(function(){ $MMT.display.slots.push(["b87e5807-c753-4d86-974d-7aa8f17f9030"]); }). Mojica is the third defendant to plead guilty in the case. Worcester Man One of Sixty-Two Latin Kings Arrested See children missing from Worcester County. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering organizations, and those primarily responsible for the nations illegal drug supply. By Gangsters Inc. See children missing from Worcester County. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. The Almighty Latin Kings and Queen Nation is considered the oldest and largest predominantly Latino street gang in the country, tracing its roots to the 1960s in Chicago, where authorities say it is still headquartered. The Latin Kings are a violent criminal enterprise comprised of thousands of members across the United States. More Local News to Love Start today for 50% off Expires 3/6/23. A locked padlock Mojica, who went by the name "King Humble," was one of 62 people arrested on Dec. 5 when federal and local police executed 31 search warrants across 24 locations, the culmination of a five-year RICO Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act investigation into the gang. The deadline for student applications to attend Worcester Technical High School for the 2023 - 2024 school year is Wednesday, March 15. Latin Kings, college scam convicts let out of prison due to coronavirus All of those arrested are expected to face federal charges. The remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. Other high-ranking members arrested in the sweep included East Coast Crown Council chairwoman Esther Ortiz, a.k.a. Authorities also seized dozens of firearms, thousands of dollars worth of cash, drugs and vehicles and three properties in the crackdown. The judge has scheduled sentencing for October 28. Official websites use .gov U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Massachusetts, Leader of Worcester Latin Kings Chapter Pleads Guilty to Drug Distribution Charges, Fitchburg Man Pleads Guilty to Wide-Ranging Cocaine Conspiracy, Leader of Boston Drug Trafficking Organization Pleads Guilty to Heroin and Fentanyl Conspiracy and Possessing a Firearm in Furtherance of Distribution Activities, New York Man Indicted for Firearms and Narcotics Trafficking, Leader of Worcester Latin Kings Chapter Pleads Guilty To Drug Distribution Charges. Woonsocket Wang Donkey Is Upset That 62 Latin Kings Were Arrested December 5, 2019. Mojica was arrested and charged in December 2019, at which time he was the leader of the Worcester based Chapter of the Latin Kings. A 31-year-old Fitchburg man pleaded guilty in federal court to several drug trafficking charges related to distribution of cocaine and fentanyl. Those arrested include leaders, members and associates of the Almighty Latin Kings and . WILLY'S LATIN CUISINE - Worcester, Massachusetts - Latin American Alvin Mojica, a/k/a "King Humble," 32, pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of cocaine. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. BOSTON - A leader of the Worcester Chapter of the Massachusetts Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation ("Latin Kings") pleaded guilty today to drug distribution charges. In December 2019, a federal grand jury in Boston returned an indictment alleging racketeering conspiracy, drug conspiracy and firearms charges against 62 leaders, members and associates of the Latin Kings. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. Sentencing for Mojica is scheduled to take place on October 28. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com. Among those arrested is Michael Cecchetelli, a 40-year-old Springfield, Massachusetts resident with ties to the Genovese crime family who oversaw the gang's operations from Massachusetts down to Florida, according to Joseph Bonavolonta, head of the FBI's Boston office. Alvin Mojica's arrest came in a December sweep of Latin Kings gang members across New England. Boston, MA 02210, Boston:617-748-3100 A 31-year-old Fitchburg man pleaded guilty in federal court to several drug trafficking charges related to distribution of cocaine and fentanyl. The charges will include RICO, drug trafficking conspiracy and firearms related charges. The feds came down hard on the Latin Kings this weekend in New Bedford and Worcester. ___This story has been updated to correct the number of arrests to more than 60, instead of more than 90. He is set to be sentenced on Oct. 28. Applications for Worcester Technical High School Close this Week. FBI Arrest Of 62 Latin King Members In Worcester And New Bedford Has Woonsocket Woman Upset, Focusing On Positive Contributions From Gang Aidan Kearney December 6, 2019 12,535 2 minutes read One of Donald Trump's most underrated moves as President has been his appointment of U.S. Attorney Andrew Lelling to oversee law and order in Massachusetts. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). WORCESTER, MA A man whom federal authorities say was the leader of the Worcester Latin Kings gang pleaded guilty on Wednesday to a drug distribution charge, which could mean a jail sentence of . Court documents allege that the gang uses drug distribution to generate. Mojica is the second defendant sentenced in this case. The United States Attorney's Office says Mojica was also known as "King Humble. A lock ( Over 60 Members of Latin Kings Charged, 23 from New Bedford Worcester Sen. December 5, 2019 / 5:05 PM Mojica is the second defendant to be sentenced in this case. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. "Queen India," and Hector Manuel Vega, a.k.a. Hector Adorno - also known as "King Gordo," age 36, a former member of the Springfield Chapter of the Massachusetts Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation in Worcester County was sentenced in federal court in Boston to five years in prison and three years of supervised release on a firearm offense. Alvin Mojica, a leader of the Worcester Chapter Latin Kings gang, pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of cocaine in federal court on Wedesday, according to prosecutors. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS Police also seized a vehicle owned by Mojica as part of a drug forfeiture allegation. U.S. Senior District Court Judge Rya W. Zobel scheduled sentencing for Oct. 28, 2020. According to the U.S. District Attorney's Office, Mojica was the leader of the Worcester chapter of the Massachusetts Almighty king and Queen Nation [Latin Kings]. Mojica has admitted to distributing just fewer than 14 grams of cocaine to a cooperating witness in an audio/video recorded transaction in May 2019, when he was the leader of the Worcester chapter of the Latin Kings, Lellings office said in a statement. Other high-ranking members arrested in the sweep included East Coast Crown Council chairwoman Esther Ortiz, a.k.a. 32-year-old Alvin "King Humble" Mojica got time served (approximately seven months) and three years of supervised release. In July 2020, Mojica pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of cocaine. The operation was conducted by a multi-agency task force through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), a partnership between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. A racketeering indictment against more than 60 defendants identified as Latin King leaders by the FBI was unsealed on Dec. 5, resulting in dozens of arrests linked to allegations of murder. Holy Cross football plays a single game at Polar Park for the third stratigh season in 2023, this year host the Harvard University Crimson in September . To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com. In December, 62 leaders, members and associates of the Latin Kings were indicted by a federal grand jury in Boston on charges of racketeering conspiracy, drug conspiracy and firearms offenses, all part of the Operation Throne Down" sting. According to the U.S. District Attorney's Office, Mojica was the leader of the Worcester chapter of the Massachusetts Almighty king and Queen Nation [Latin Kings]. The investigation found evidence that the Latin Kings conspired to murder more than 10 people, operated a large-scale drug trafficking operation and committed robberies, shootings and stabbings. Boss of Latin Kings Worcester Chapter sentenced on drug charges 1 Courthouse Way, Suite 9200 Alvin Mojica, a/k/a King Humble, 32, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge Rya W. Zobel to time served (approximately seven months) and three years of supervised release. BOSTON A Fitchburg man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Worcester to his role in a wide-ranging fentanyl, heroin, crack and cocaine trafficking conspiracy. Mojica, 32, was sentenced to three years of supervised release on a drug distribution charge. The government recommended a sentence of 18 months incarceration. The gang's operations also stretched into New York, New Jersey and Maryland. Mojica is the third person to plead guilty in the case. His lawyer from his prior criminal case didn't respond to a call seeking comment Thursday. More than 60 members of the Latin Kings gang have been arrested, federal officials in Massachusetts announced Thursday. Indicted Latin Kings advisor wants permission to go to Florida amid Police also located two missing children during the raids: a 14-year-old from New Bedford, and a 16-year-old from Fall River. Over 60 Members of Latin Kings Charged - United States Department of pic.twitter.com/7qJPTrDRYN. WORCESTER, MA A man whom federal authorities say was the leader of the Worcester Latin Kings gang pleaded guilty on Wednesday to a drug distribution charge, which could mean a jail sentence of up to 20 years. Admission is free. Former leader of Lowell's Latin Kings sentenced to two years in prison U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts Andrew Lelling and Joseph Bonavolonta, head of the FBI's Boston office, said they will detail the arrests Thursday at the federal courthouse in Boston. Prosecutors said Mojica admitted to selling roughly 14 grams of cocaine to a cooperating witness in May of 2019. Boston Office: They're part of a federal sweep last year of 60 "active Latin Kings Chapters" operating in Boston, New Bedford, Springfield, Lynn, Salem, Chelsea, Lowell, Lawrence, Worcester and Fitchburg. Backs Charter School Reform After BESE Board Vote, Local Food Banks Prep As Pandemic Food Benefits End In MA, Charter Audit, Millionaire Tax Plan, Toddler Taken: Patch Top Stories, The Poop On Free-Range Cats And Your Lawn And Garden [Block Talk], New Worcester Law On Developer Tax Breaks Likely: Councilors. Latin Kings Worcester Leader Facing 20 Years in Prison Mojica is the third defendant to plead guilty in this case.