The Chicago-based Almighty Latin King Nation, commonly referred to as Latin Kings, is a collection of over 160 structured gangs, referred to as chapters, operating in 158 cities in 31 states. The gang’s current membership is estimated to be 20,000 to 35,000. Most members are Mexican American or Puerto Rican males. Latin Kings’ main source of income is street-level distribution of cocaine, heroin, and marijuana. Gang members primarily obtain drugs from several Mexican DTOs (Drug Trafficking Organizations) that operate along the U.S.–Mexico border. Members also engage in other criminal activity such as assault, burglary, homicide, identity theft, and money laundering.
LK handsignThe Latin Kings are said to be the largest and most organized Hispanic street gang in the United States of America , which has its roots dating back to the 1940s in Chicago, Illinois. Latin King documents reveal that Gino Gustavo Colon (a.k.a. "Lord Gino") is considered the "SUN" of the Almighty Latin King Nation in Chicago—and has been for a long time. Currently he is serving a life sentence in federal prison due to a 25-count indictment, which includes charges of conspiracy to distribute cocaine and other drugs. Latin King headquarters is located on Beach and Spaulding in Northwest Chicago.
Luis Felipe (a.k.a. King Blood) started his own chapter of the Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation with the permission of his superiors in Chicago, the "motherland". He designated himself as Inca and Supreme Crown of New York State. In 1995, Antonio Fernandez (a.k.a. King Tone) became the leader of the New York Latin Kings.
The Latin Kings have a hierarchical organizational structure, and they have sets in numerous states across the country. These sets are referred to as "chapters" or "tribes", with each reporting to an Inca, Caciqa, Enforcer and Regional Officer. The head (or heads) of the entire criminal organization are known as "Coronas" (crowns in Spanish).
Name: Latin Kings
Established: Chicago, IL
Symbols: 5-point crown; Latin cross with 4 dashes; 5-point star; letters LK, LKN, ALKN
Color(s): Black & Gold
Territory: United States
Membership: 20,000 to 35,000
Ethnicity: Hispanic, black, white
Allies: People Nation (Vice Lords, etc.), Bloods
Rivals: Folk Nation (Disciples), Los Solidos, Crips
“Corona” Augustin Zambrano Among 18 Alleged Latin Kings Gang Leaders in Little Village Region Indicted on Federal Charges
Department of Justice Press Release
For Immediate Release
October 1, 2009
CHICAGO—A Chicago man alleged to be a “Corona” of the Latin Kings, making him the highest-ranking leader outside of prison and responsible for overseeing the illegal activities of all factions of the powerful Chicago street gang, is among 18 defendants charged in a sweeping new federal indictment against the gang’s alleged hierarchy. Augustin Zambrano, the alleged leader of the Almighty Latin King Nation in the Chicago area and particularly on the city’s south side, and 14 other alleged leaders of the 26th Street Region of the Latin Kings were charged with racketeering conspiracy for allegedly running a criminal enterprise to enrich themselves and others through drugtrafficking and preserving and protecting their power, territory and revenue through acts of murder, attempted murder, assault with a dangerous weapon, extortion, and other acts of violence. All 18 defendants—six newly charged and 12 who were initially indicted a year ago—were charged in a 48-count superseding indictment returned by a federal grand jury yesterday.
Among the new charges, the indictment alleges that Zambrano and co-defendants Vicente Garcia, Fernando King, Samuel Gutierrez and Felipe Zamora conspired to demand and receive payment from an organization illegally selling fraudulent immigration documents in the “Little Village” area of Chicago by threatening and actually engaging in the use of force and violence against members of that organization unless the defendants received regular cash payments. This is the first time that federal charges have alleged that Latin Kings leaders extorted “street tax” from non-gang members, referred to as “miqueros,” who sold false identification documents.
To enforce the Latin Kings’ grip on the community and control over its members and associates, defendants charged in the racketeering conspiracy (RICO) count allegedly kept victims in fear of the gang and its leaders by enforcing what it referred to as an “SOS”—or shoot on sight—order against Latin King members who cooperated with law enforcement.
Zambrano, 49, also known as “Big Tino,” “Tino,” “Old Man,” and “Viejo,” was arrested Monday night on a charge of conspiracy to possess and distribute tablets containing hydrocodone that was lodged in a criminal complaint. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Arlander Keys on Tuesday and was ordered held pending a detention hearing at 10 a.m. tomorrow. Three other new defendants—Ruben Caquias, Ernesto Grimaldo and Felipe Zamora—were arrested early today or were being sought and those arrested were scheduled to appear this afternoon before Magistrate Judge Maria Valdez. Other defendants who were charged previously are scheduled to be arraigned at 10 a.m. Tuesday before U.S. District Judge Charles Norgle in U.S. District Court.
The arrests and charges were announced by Gary S. Shapiro, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; Robert D. Grant, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Andrew L. Traver, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Gary Hartwig, Special Agent-in-Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Chicago, and Jody P. Weis, Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department. The investigation was conducted with the assistance of the federal High Intensity Drug-Trafficking Area (HIDTA) task force and under the umbrella of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF).
Today’s indictment replaces the charges that were brought in September 2008 against 25 alleged Latin Kings leaders, including Garcia, then the Regional Officer or top leader of the 26th Street Region, a regional enforcer and 18 Incas (section leaders), who were charged with conspiracy to possess and distribute cocaine in United States v. Vicente Garcia, et al., 08 CR 746. Since then, 13 of those defendants have pleaded guilty and all are named as co-conspirators in the new indictment. The remaining 12 defendants are facing the same and, in some cases, additional charges in the new indictment. They are: Vicente Garcia, Valentin Baez, Alphonso Chavez, Juan DeJesus, Danny Dominguez, Luis Garcia, Samuel Gutierrez, Jose Guzman, Polin Lopez, Javier Ramirez, Wilfredo Rivera, Jr., and Fernando Vazquez. Of these defendants, Vicente Garcia, Chavez, DeJesus, Luis Garcia, Guzman and Rivera are in federal custody; Gutierrez, Lopez and Ramirez are on bond; and Baez, Dominguez and Vazquez are fugitives. The new defendants are Zambrano, Fernando King, 39, of Chicago, alleged to be the gang’s “Supreme Regional Officer” who reported only to Zambrano, and Ruben Caquias, Ernesto Grimaldo, Nedal Issa and Felipe Zamora. King and Issa are also in federal custody.
The indictment includes the previous charges alleging that the 12 remaining original defendants, many of them leaders of the 24 sections that comprised the 26th Street Region, conspired in late 2007 to sell a quarter-ounce of powder cocaine twice a month to fund the “Nation Box,” a kitty that the regional hierarchy used to purchase weapons, narcotics, and pay for funeral and attorney fees for fellow gang members. Located along 26th Street, a main east-west thoroughfare, the region is bounded roughly by Fairfield Avenue (east) to Millard Avenue (west), and 21st Street (north) to 33rd Street (south). The region’s 24 sections are typically named after a street or intersection, with each section having its own leadership and “soldiers,” ranging between approximately 12 to 80 individuals, according to the indictment.
The racketeering conspiracy count charges 15 of the defendants with engaging in pattern of illegal activity since 2000, including drug trafficking, extortion, obstruction of justice, witness tampering, murder, attempted murder, and solicitation to commit murder, and intimidation. No specific murders are alleged in the indictment but it does allege assault with a dangerous weapon or attempted murder of at least five unnamed victims. As part of the racketeering conspiracy, defendants and their associates allegedly:
* conducted the gang’s affairs through a series of laws and policies, some of which were codified in a constitution and a series of laws. The rules included a three-page list of 25 rules establishing procedures for homicides, “security,” and the sale of counterfeit identification documents;
* attended regular meetings, known as "demos”—or, when held by Nation officers, “Nation demos”—at which they discussed, planned, and otherwise engaged in criminal activity, including murder, attempted murder, narcotics distribution, and obstruction of justice;
* initiated members by causing them to endure physical assaults conducted by other members at various gang-related gatherings;
* engaged in a system of “violations” in which they and others enforced discipline and the rules by attempting murder, conspiring to murder, physically beating and threatening those members who violated rules, questioned authority, or posed a threat to the leaders or purposes of the gang;
* committed illegal acts known as “burns,” including murder, attempted murder, aggravated battery, intimidation, and assault against individuals who posed a threat to the gang or jeopardized its operations, including rival gang members and witnesses to illegal activities. Latin Kings members and associates were required to participate in such “burns,” received standing orders to shoot rival gang members, and were instructed to retaliate for gang-related attacks upon fellow members and associates;
* managed the procurement, transfer, use, concealment, and disposal of firearms and dangerous weapons to protect gang-related territory, personnel, and operations, and to deter, eliminate, and retaliate against competitors and other rival gangs and individuals;
* monitored law enforcement radio frequencies to detect and avoid law enforcement inquiry into their activities, including during gang-related missions;
* acquired automobiles, which were known by several names, including “rammers,” to use them during missions against rival gangs;
* earned money for their members and regularly financed their activities through funds obtained in the illegal trafficking of narcotics, including the possession and distribution of cocaine and marijuana; and
* operated a “Box” system in which section and region leaders and others controlled and maintained a stash of money for the gang. Gang members and associates paid required monthly dues into the Box which, in turn, the gang used to bail its members out of jail, to send money to incarcerated members, and to purchase and sell firearms and controlled substances. Members their associates at times paid money into the “Box” by selling narcotics supplied by Nation-level members of the gang.
The charges result from a sustained, coordinated investigation by multiple federal law enforcement agencies, working together with the Chicago Police Department and other state and local partners, to dismantle the hierarchy of the Latin Kings and other highly-organized, often violent, drug-trafficking Chicago street gangs. In late 2006, ATF agents led an investigation that resulted in federal drug trafficking and firearms charges against 38 Latin Kings members and associates. Last year, the FBI led an investigation that resulted in state and federal charges against 40 Latin Kings members and associates, including the 12 who were charged in the new superseding indictment. The six new defendants brings the total charged to more than 80 in the last three years, and approximately 50 of the 60-plus defendants charged federally have been convicted.
The government is being represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew Porter, Nancy DePodesta and Tinos Diamantatos.
If convicted, the counts and maximum penalties for each in the indictment are as follows: racketeering conspiracy (Count One)—20 years in prison; assault with a dangerous weapon (Counts Two, Four, Six and Nine)—20 years in prison; carrying a firearm during a violent crime (Counts Three, Five and Eight)—mandatory minimum five years in prison to a maximum of life; attempted murder (Count Seven)—10 years in prison; extortion (Count 10)—20 years in prison; conspiracy to possess and distribute 500 grams of more of powder cocaine (Count 11)—mandatory minimum five years to a maximum of 40 years and a $2 million fine; conspiracy to possess and distribute 50 grams or more of crack cocaine (Count 12)—mandatory minimum 10 years in prison to a maximum of life and a $4 million fine; distribution of five or more grams of crack (Count 13)—mandatory minimum five years in prison to a maximum of 40 years and a $2 million fine; and distribution of powder cocaine (Counts 14-48)—20 years in prison and a $1 million fine. Each count also carries a maximum fine of $250,000 unless otherwise noted. The Court, however, would determine the appropriate sentence to be imposed under the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines.
An indictment contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and are entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
A list of all 18 defendants, their alleged rank in the Latin Kings and their arrest status is attached. United States v. Zambrano, et al., (08 CR 746)
Note: All defendants reside in Chicago unless otherwise listed.
1. Augustin Zambrano, 49, aka “Big Tino,” “Tino,” “Old Man,” and “Viejo,” Corona, in custody;
2. Vicente Garcia, 31, of Bolingbrook, aka, “DK,” Supreme Regional Officer, in custody;
3. Valentin Baez, 23, aka “Baby 24,” “Valentin Biez,” Casique, fugitive;
4. Ruben Caquias, 28, aka “Flaco,” Regional Enforcer, arrested today;
5. Alphonso Chavez, 24, aka “Ponch,” Inca, in custody;
6. Juan DeJesus, 25, aka “Baby 28,” Inca, in custody;
7. Danny Dominguez, 24, aka “Baby Trigger,” “Baby T,” Inca, fugitive;
8. Luis Garcia, 33, aka “Wild,” “Jose Campos,” Inca, in custody;
9. Ernesto Grimaldo, aka “Travisio,” arrested today;
10. Samuel Gutierrez, 25, aka “Wedo,” Inca, on bond;
11. Jose Guzman, 32, aka “Boo Boo,” Regional Enforcer, in custody;
12. Nedal Issa, 32, aka “Lucky,” Inca, in custody;
13. Fernando King, 39, aka “Ace,” “Pops,” Supreme Regional Officer, in custody;
14. Polin Lopez, 24, aka “Baby 23,” Inca, on bond;
15. Javier Ramirez, 28, aka “Convict,” Inca, on bond;
16. Wilfredo Rivera, Jr., 34, of Romeoville, aka “Boy,” Inca, in custody;
17. Fernando Vazquez, 26, aka “Pac Man,” Inca, fugitive;
18. Felipe Zamora, 27, aka “Dough Boy,” Regional Officer, arrest warrant issued;
2009: Operation Augustin Zambrano
Augustin Zambrano, alleged to be a “Corona” of the Latin Kings, making him the highest-ranking leader outside of prison and responsible for overseeing the illegal activities of all factions of the powerful Chicago Latin Kings, is among 18 defendants charged in a sweeping new federal indictment against the gang’s alleged hierarchy. Zambrano and other alleged leaders of the 26th Street Region of the Latin Kings were charged with racketeering conspiracy for allegedly running a criminal enterprise to enrich themselves and others through drugtrafficking and preserving and protecting their power, territory and revenue through acts of murder, attempted murder, assault with a dangerous weapon, extortion, and other acts of violence.
To enforce the Latin Kings’ grip on the community and control over its members and associates, defendants charged in the racketeering conspiracy (RICO) count allegedly kept victims in fear of the gang and its leaders by enforcing what it referred to as an “SOS” — or shoot on sight — order against Latin King members who cooperated with law enforcement.
As part of the racketeering conspiracy, defendants and their associates allegedly:
1. conducted the gang’s affairs through a series of laws and policies, some of which were codified in a constitution and a series of laws. The rules included a three-page list of 25 rules establishing procedures for homicides, “security,” and the sale of counterfeit identification documents;
2. attended regular meetings, known as "demos” – or, when held by Nation officers, “Nation demos” – at which they discussed, planned, and otherwise engaged in criminal activity, including murder, attempted murder, narcotics distribution, and obstruction of justice;
3. initiated members by causing them to endure physical assaults conducted by other members at various gang-related gatherings;
4. engaged in a system of “violations” in which they and others enforced discipline and the rules by attempting murder, conspiring to murder, physically beating and threatening those members who violated rules, questioned authority, or posed a threat to the leaders or purposes of the gang;
5. committed illegal acts known as “burns,” including murder, attempted murder, aggravated battery, intimidation, and assault against individuals who posed a threat to the gang or jeopardized its operations, including rival gang members and witnesses to illegal activities. Latin Kings members and associates were required to participate in such “burns,” received standing orders to shoot rival gang members, and were instructed to retaliate for gang-related attacks upon fellow members and associates;
6. managed the procurement, transfer, use, concealment, and disposal of firearms and dangerous weapons to protect gang-related territory, personnel, and operations, and to deter, eliminate, and retaliate against competitors and other rival gangs and individuals;
7. monitored law enforcement radio frequencies to detect and avoid law enforcement inquiry into their activities, including during gang-related missions;
8. acquired automobiles, which were known by several names, including “rammers,” to use them during missions against rival gangs;
9. earned money for their members and regularly financed their activities through funds obtained in the illegal trafficking of narcotics, including the possession and distribution of cocaine and marijuana;
10. and operated a “Box” system in which section and region leaders and others controlled and maintained a stash of money for the gang. Gang members and associates paid required monthly dues into the Box which, in turn, the gang used to bail its members out of jail, to send money to incarcerated members, and to purchase and sell firearms and controlled substances. Members their associates at times paid money into the “Box” by selling narcotics supplied by Nation-level members of the gang.
The charges result from a sustained, coordinated investigation by multiple federal law enforcement agencies, working together with the Chicago Police Department and other state and local partners, to dismantle the hierarchy of the Latin Kings and other highly-organized, often violent, drug-trafficking Chicago street gangs. Nevertheless, the FBI and other law enforcement agencies have yet to do much in terms of eliminating, but simply to diminish, the Almighty Latin King Nation's power and control over Chicago's illegal drug trade.
The Latin Kings rose to be one of the most feared and revered gangs inside and outside the penal system in the state of Illinois. The Latin Kings ordered "hits" against correctional officers, killed disobedient members and did not hesitate to commit violence against rival gang members. Latin King gang members would follow orders and vowed to lay down their lives for their "Nation". Unfortunately, this also meant extreme internal discipline and organized fear. One such story goes as follows:
In 1981, the leader of Chicago's southside chapter, one Raul Gonzalez (AKA "Baby King") of the Latin Kings had a "run in" with a member of the northside chapter of the Latin Kings. What happened was that the leader "Baby King" was basically "disrespected" by an inmate known as Carlos Robles. 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.
Two of the most whacked out Latin Kings of the southside LKN chapter were chosen for the "hit". Rolez was to be murdered. The way the "hit" was carried out was quite clever. The two Kings intending to kill Carlos, basically told him they were throwing him a "going away party". Carlos was scheduled to be paroled from Stateville Prison in two days when the hit took place in July, 1983. As is common in corrupting correctional staff, the two hitmen got permission from the cellhouse guard to use the basement for the going away party. The basement of the cellhouse unit has the showers the inmates use. Carlos entered the basement of the cellhouse with the two Kings for his "parole party". They proceeded to use their homemade weapons. Not little "shanks" as homemade knives are called, but rather the much larger Machetes, usually about two feet long and made out of heavy gauge steel. First they cut off Carlos' head. Then one arm, then the other arm. With a little hacking, off went one leg, then the other. They chopped at the torso, cutting it into smaller pieces. The head was the only body part that could not be sliced up into smaller pieces. The arms and legs were then chopped into smaller pieces. Blood was everywhere. But all they did was turn on the showers and let the blood run down the drain. Basically washing off the body parts.
Members of their own gang, cooperating upstairs in the cell house, helped next. As the two hitmen placed the body parts into plastic bags, a "diversion" fight was staged. This allowed the two Kings to go through the tunnel which led to what was then the butcher shop area of the prisons kitchen. The Black inmate working in the butcher shop that day was a Gangster Disciple, and as a "Folks" gang, is always opposed to Latin Kings (a "Peoples" gang). The two Kings asked him for a favor, for which they would reward him with some drugs and cash money. They asked him to "grind" up the body parts in the older meat grinder that was there, a very large commercial grade meat grinder. On the menu for the evening meal that night at Stateville Penitentiary was "meat loaf". The GD in charge of the butcher shop, once offered the drugs and money to grind up the body parts, simply asked "who is in the bag". They replied "he is one of our own", not one of yours.
The GD agreed, and ground up the body parts with the pork and beef that was also going into the meat loaf for the evening meal. 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. The GD's and the Latin Kings spread the word amongst themselves: don't eat on the main line tonight. In the dining hall that night, only the gangs that did not know the real recipe for the meatloaf ate their food.
No traces of the skin, bones, teeth, or blood of Carlos Robles were ever found. That is for years. The skull bone apparently simply "rolled around" in the meat grinder like a basketball spinning on a net rim, and thus it had to be buried. The skull was dug up in 1995 in the yard at Stateville (see: "Skull Dug up in Stateville Prison", Chicago Tribune, April 16, 1995, p. 2).
