04/20/2011

News / Alleged Member of the Almighty Latin Kings and Queen Nation Charged in Hammond, Ind., with Racketeering Conspiracy Involving Multiple Murders

WASHINGTON – An additional alleged member of the Almighty Latin Kings and Queen Nation (Latin Kings) has been indicted for his alleged role in a racketeering conspiracy in Hammond, Ind., and elsewhere, announced Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney David Capp of the Northern District of Indiana.



The second superseding indictment, returned yesterday by the federal grand jury in Hammond charges Ivan Quiroz, aka “Captain Kirk,” 29, of Posen, Ill., with conspiracy to engage in racketeering activity. Previously charged in the conspiracy are: Alexander Vargas, aka “Pacman,” 33, of Highland, Ind.; Sisto Bernal, aka “Cisco,” aka “Shug,” 44, of Chicago; Jason Ortiz, aka “Creeper,” 27, of Chicago; Brandon Clay, aka “Cheddar,” aka “Swiss,” aka “Slick,” 23, of Chicago; and Martin Anaya, aka “Lefty,” 40, of Chicago. In addition, the second superseding indictment also charges all of the defendants with conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and 1,000 kilograms or more of marijuana.



Quiroz is charged also in the second superseding indictment with two counts of murder and two counts of using and carrying a firearm to commit murder during and in relation to a crime of violence.



As previously charged in the superseding indictment, the southeast region of the Latin Kings is allegedly responsible for at least 15 murders. The second superseding indictment specifically alleges that Quiroz participated with Vargas, Ortiz, Clay and other Latin King members in the murder of rival gang members James Walsh and Gonzalo Diaz outside of a bar in Griffith, Ind., in the early morning of Feb. 25, 2007. As previously charged in the superseding indictment, in addition to the violent crimes, the Latin Kings also distributed more than 150 kilograms of cocaine and 1,000 kilograms of marijuana.



According to the second superseding indictment, the Latin Kings is a nationwide gang that originated in Chicago and has branches throughout the United States. The Latin Kings is a well organized street gang comprised of regions that include multiple chapters. The Latin Kings enforces its rules and promotes discipline among its members, prospects and associates through murder, attempted murder, conspiracy to murder, assault, and threats against those who violate the rules or pose a threat to the Latin Kings. Members are required to follow the orders of higher-ranking members, including taking on assignments often referred to as “missions.”



The racketeering and drug conspiracy charges each carry a maximum penalty of life in prison. The murder-related charges carry maximum penalties of life in prison or the death penalty.



This case is being investigated by the FBI; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Drug Enforcement Administration; Immigration, Customs and Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations; the National Gang Targeting, Enforcement & Coordination Center; the National Gang Intelligence Center; the Chicago Police Department, the Griffith Police Department; the Highland, Ind., Police Department; the Hammond Police Department; and the Houston Police Department.



The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Joseph A. Cooley of the Criminal Division’s Gang Unit and Assistant U.S. Attorney David Nozick of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Indiana.



The indictment is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2011/April/11-crm-492.html

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