When the influx of hard drugs hit Chicago in the mid-'60s, the Latin Kings seized the opportunity and evolved into one of the most infamous, controlled, and dogmatic streetgangs in America, even spreading to some European countries. [25][26], The Latin Kings were founded in the Humboldt Park area of Chicago in 1954 by Ramon Santos as the Imperials, a Puerto Rican progress movement with the goal of overcoming racial discrimination. [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. [96] Such Latin American gangs spread to Spain as a result of mass deportations from the United States of Latin American immigrants with criminal records. Why did the Latin Kings target correctional officers? [66], Operation Dethrone was an investigation by the Western Massachusetts Gang Task Force, consisting of the FBI, the Chicopee Police Department, the Hampden County Sheriff's Department, the Holyoke Police Department, the Massachusetts State Police, the Springfield Police Department, and the West Springfield Police Department. We have collected dozens of these photo albums over the years, and literally thousands of such photos, usually paying a small fee to the LK member to acquire these artifacts. He designated himself as Inca and Supreme Crown of the state of New York. The Latin Kings is a gang that started in the mid-1950s in Humboldt Park, an urban neighborhood of Chicago as a social organization to help Latinos but in the late 1960s began making money from drug sales. Total revenues. [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. 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." The monthly universals drew attendance of 500600 regularly. Fifteen Latin Kings leaders were imprisoned as a result. "I would have to take an initiation violation that consisted of two chosen Kings beating me for three minutes. The NYPD further notes that "members should never become involved in a physical relationship with another member's spouse." : Folk Nation aligned STGs, Crips, Latin Locos, Solidos, 20 Luv and Elm City Boys (ECB), Nation, Gangster Disciples, Black Gangster Disciples, La Raza, Imperial Gangsters, Maniac Latin Disciples, Satan Disciples and Spanish Cobras . Branches then followed in Barcelona, Valencia and Murcia. We have spent much time with this particular ex-member of the LKs over a three year period: including about 40 hours of face-to-face interviewing, and about 80 hours of telephone interviewing. No traces of the skin, bones, teeth, or blood of Carlos Robles were ever found. Total expenses. Members must set a good example to other gang members, as well as Latino community in general. [22][23][24] The gang was founded by Puerto Ricans in Chicago, Illinois in 1954. . ("Terminate On Sight") to all Latin Kings for the murder of Cartagena. Graffiti serves as an important part of communication between Latin King gang members, as well as rivals. Membership is predominantly Ecuadorian, although other Latin American and Spanish youths have also been recruited. According to theCanadian Journal of Sociology, Latin Kings gang members must follow the King's Manifesto that outlines their purpose and ideology, called Kingism, which offers principles in which to live by, with prayers, stages of enlightenment and various rules and procedures. The general male members are called Reyes or Kings; their wives or girlfriends are called Queens. According to theNYPD, no one is allowed to speak at meetings without a permission. Initially the Bloodline chapter served as a protection mechanism for Latin people inside the prison system due to Felipe's own incarceration. [58] Latin Kings North Side faction leader Gustavo "Gino" Colon was sentenced to life in prison as a result of the case. The charter establishes the Ten Commandments, the royalties, guidelines for establishing a chapter, election of officers, and disciplinary procedures. Founded in the 1940's by a small group of Hispanics in the Chicago, Illinois area, the purpose of the organization was to help the Hispanic community achieve a better way of life by preserving the Hispanic culture and promoting education. Why do you think some people call meatloaf "mystery meat"? They even have specific gestures for when they are in trouble, such as when a member is put on probation, he or she must "throw up a probation crown and say amor" (via theNYPD). 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. Despite the fact that the Latin Kings are heavily involved in thedrug business across the country (even international), there are strict rules when it comes to drug usage and abuse, but also selling. Another symbol is the lion which represents courage, just as the crown does. The arrests resulted from a four-month investigation by the FBI and the New York Police Department (NYPD). These Latin Kings were prosecuted in Will County, Illinois, and there was some thought among our informants that the prosecution was bungled. Between June 1993 and February 1994, seven Latin Kings were murdered. 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. Soon after arriving in New York, Felipe was arrested and convicted of murdering his girlfriend. 91.0 percent indicated "I believe in God", and 28.2 percent expected to go to hell in the afterlife. Now in hiding, the Chicago twin testifies against the alleged Mexican cartel boss", "New documents give inside look at Holland Latin Kings, drugs, violence", "Prison Gangs (continued) Gangs and Security Threat Group Awareness", "Los Solidos gang leader sentenced to 14 life terms", "Witnesses describe scene of February gang-related shooting in Holland Township", "United Blood Nation history, terminology, background", "Latin Kings Live, Die By Rigid Organization", "Gangland: Divide and Conquer DVD, View All, HISTORY Shop", "Latin Kings gang members charged in murder, racketeering, drug offenses", "Gang Profile: The Latin Kings | Office of Justice Programs", "Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation of New York and Environs | Office of Justice Programs", "Testimony offers rare look inside Latin Kings gang Chicago Tribune", "Latin King Gets 60-Year Sentence for '93 Murder", "Leader of Latin Kings Is Convicted in Slayings", "Latin Kings: A Street Gang Story - Trailer - Cast - Showtimes", "FBI: Arrests wipe out Latin Kings leadership", "Salcedo v. Attacked from behind with pipes and other weapons, Kush would die a day later, but was one of 30 officers on a "hit list" prepared by the Latin Kings (see: Jerry Thomas, "Gangs a Rising Threat to Prison Guards",Chicago Tribune, November 28, 1993). The Council sets rules and regulations and holds disciplinary hearings. . The last defendant pleaded guilty last week. This type of serious activity must be "approved" of by the top gang leaders. (AMOR DE REY) Originated in Chicago, Latin Kings are 360 degree strong in knowledge, Understanding and respect. Skipping meetings can lead to a violation, probation, and physical punishment. 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. Members are not suppose to use drugs, they do sell and distribute drugs. The heads of the entire criminal organization are known as "coronas". 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". And their literature is considered pretty sacred. a leap in logic, by which a necessary part of an equation is omitted. We sold one crate of the M16's to the Spanish Lords and the Unknowns who were allies at the time. And another prohibits police cooperation. [100], Five key members were ordered deported from Madrid in February 2015. In the late 1970's the Latin Kings took down a national guard armory making away with a number of military weapons. Fernandez was eventually permitted, though under house arrest, to attend monthly universal meetings. Carlos was scheduled to be paroled in two days when the hit took place in July, 1983. Latin King members must practice social responsibility Wikimedia Commons According to "The Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation," by David C. Brotherton and Luis Barrios, the gang promotes social responsibility. The initial network helped Latino immigrants to integrate into a new life, assisting with employment, finding housing, and offering practical advice but also protecting against racial violence and police repression. 91.0 percent do not want their own children in the gang. Gil was sentenced to life in prison. Lusinski was killed because Vallodolid thought he was a rival gang member. [67], On December 6, 2019 more than 45 Latin King (suspected) members, including its leader Michael Cecchetelli, were arrested by the FBI and other state and local agencies, in Massachusetts. 74.7 percent have fired a gun at someone to defend their gang turf. Said another high-ranking source in the LKs: "Gino summoned me to the law library where carried out our executive meetings and he saidI want Kush hit. The Latin Kings use the logos ALKN, ADR, LK, 5-POINTED CROWN AND 5-POINTED STAR. A KINGS RESPECT IS 360 DEGREE STRONG. Blood was everywhere. The history of this gang is written in blood, with episodes so bizarre that they read like chapters from a pulp fiction novel. Revenues; 44.7 percent have tried to quit the gang. 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. What happened was that the leader "Baby King" was basically "disrespected" by an inmate known as Carlos Robles. 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". [citation needed] The Latin Queens constituted the female Queen Anubis and Queen Maat of the ALKQN. A lot of groups were formed, such as "Noble Knights" (who have ties to today's Latin Kings) or "Young Lords". Two of the most whacked out members of the southside LKN chapter were chosen for the "hit". Basically washing off the body parts. They often follow a strict and detailed charter or constitution. The Latin Kings street gang was formed in Chicago in the 1940s and consisted predominantly of Puerto Rican and Mexican males. 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. With a little hacking, off went one leg, then the other. He was sentenced to sixty years in prison on January 11, 2012. In our historical approach to developing gang profile information we routinely collect old photographs of the gang, and gangs like the LKs are very predictable in this regard: they love to pose for pictures that members keep in their gang photo albums. 57.3 percent have been a shooter in a drive-by shooting. According to "The Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation," byDavid C. BrothertonandLuis Barrios, their usage of gestures, prayers, and other means of communication and identification are "very precise and highly ritualistic." 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). Latin Kings believe Once a King, always a King and subscribe to an all for one mentality. These can be found in a document known as the King Manifesto. Unless a club violates a rule, Vesta is not responsible. n/a. We got lucky in one of the photo albums when we found the photograph showing a group of Latin Kings posing in the yard of Stateville Penitentiary that included, guess who, Luis Rosa. 69.3 percent had other family members who are in a gang. The Latin Kings are members of the People Nation alliance of gangs , and are therefore opposed to the rival Folk Nation gang alliance. salus in arduis. As one member put it, the Manifesto is "considered our Bible", and reading it is to go "from the darkness to the light". The second warning is a one-minute of beating in front of everyone. Twelve leaders of the Bethlehem Sun Tribe of the Latin Kings were indicted on racketeering charges last year. Charter establishes the Ten Commandments, the royalties, guidelines for establishing a chapter, election officers. The arrests resulted from a four-month investigation by the FBI and the who... The hit took place in July, 1983 violation, probation, and there was some among! 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