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(Shutterstock) WORCESTER, MA A Worcester man identified by federal prosecutors as a local Latin Kings gang leader was sentenced on drug distribution charges Wednesday. Have a question about Government Services? Mojica is the second defendant to be sentenced in this case. BOSTON A Boston man responsible for a leading large drug trafficking organization (DTO) pleaded guilty today to heroin and fentanyl conspiracy charges and possessing a firearm in furtherance of BOSTON A New York man was arrested yesterday in connection with allegedly trafficking drugs and firearms. 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. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. 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. 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. He pleaded guilty to the drug distribution charge in July. WORCESTER - Alvin Mojica of Worcester was one of sixty-two arrested today across Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut for charges related to involvement in the Latin Kings. 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. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. 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 . 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. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. 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. 1 Courthouse Way, Suite 9200 Lock The gang's operations also stretched into New York, New Jersey and Maryland. More than 500 local, state and federal law enforcement officers took part in serving served thirty-one warrants this morning which lead to the arrests that included Mojica. 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. Worcester:508-368-0100. The government recommended a sentence of 18 months incarceration. We also thwarted plots to kill at least 8 people in MA, CT & FL. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. He also served seven months in federal prison this year during court proceedings in 2020. ( Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. 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. Federal authorities say that Alvin. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. 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. At the time, he was the leader of the Worcester based Chapter of the Latin Kings. 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. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. 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. Sentencing for Mojica is scheduled to take place on October 28. ___This story has been updated to correct the number of arrests to more than 60, instead of more than 90. Authorities also seized dozens of firearms, thousands of dollars worth of cash, drugs and vehicles and three properties in the crackdown. To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com. Have a question about Government Services? 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. Mojica, 32, was sentenced to three years of supervised release on a drug distribution charge. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. 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.. 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. Mojica is the second defendant sentenced in this case. More Local News to Love Start today for 50% off Expires 3/6/23. Twelve Latin Kings Indicted for Drug and Firearms Offenses Monday, November 9, 2015 For Immediate Release U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Massachusetts BOSTON - Twelve Springfield-area men, nine of whom were arrested this morning, were charged in U.S. District Court in Springfield with drug distribution and firearms offenses. The remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. The majority of Thursday morning's arrests took place across Massachusetts, but some gang members and associates were also arrested in Rhode Island and Connecticut, Bonavolonta said. Those arrested include leaders, members and associates of the Almighty Latin Kings and . By Gangsters Inc. The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. Music, arts and crafts and food are some of the main attractions of the festival, which has . Lock The investigation had been ongoing over the last four years. 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]. "It's a big hit precisely because we are able to take out all of the leadership," said U.S. Attorney Andrew Lelling of the five-year investigation by the FBI and the state Department of Correction dubbed "Operation Throne Down." 2019 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Federal authorities said Mojica sold about 14 grams of cocaine to a person who was cooperating with investigators. In December 2019, a federal grand jury in Boston returned an indictment that alleged racketeering conspiracy, drug conspiracy and firearms charges against 62 leaders, members and associates of the Latin Kings. Alvin Mojica's arrest came in a December sweep of Latin Kings gang members across New England. 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. Boston, MA 02210, Boston:617-748-3100 District of Massachusetts 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]. 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. 31-Year-Old Fitchburg Man Pleads Guilty to Several Drug Charges. At this time it is not clear what specific charges Mojica will face. Worcester Sen. $MMT = window.$MMT || {}; $MMT.cmd = $MMT.cmd || [];$MMT.cmd.push(function(){ $MMT.display.slots.push(["a1cd6ec6-740d-49ec-bd36-0032eef2b5f0"]); }). The Latin Kings are a violent criminal enterprise comprised of thousands of members across the United States. Patch editor Dave Copeland contributed to this report. Others face gun possession charges. A 31-year-old Fitchburg man pleaded guilty in federal court to several drug trafficking charges related to distribution of cocaine and fentanyl. Bristol County Jail and House of Correction had 41 Latin Kings members and dozens of inmates. More information on the OCDETF program is available here: https://www.justice.gov/ocdetf/about-ocdetf. 31-Year-Old Fitchburg Man Pleads Guilty to Several Drug Charges. I had 5 Latin Kings line up and lay pipe in my rancid venereal diseased pass . The United States Attorney's Office says Mojica was also known as "King Humble. "Queen India," and Hector Manuel Vega, a.k.a. The Latin Kings have also grown to become the largest gang in Massachusetts prisons, with an estimated 400 members, including leaders who face charges for continuing to coordinate criminal. WORCESTER - Alvin Mojica of Worcester was one of sixty-two arrested today across Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut for charges related to involvement in the Latin Kings. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. 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. At the time, he was the leader of the Worcester based Chapter of the Latin Kings. 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 . Dozens of Latin Kings members face racketeering, drug and firearms charges https . Official websites use .gov 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. The Latin Kings have also grown to become the largest gang in Massachusetts prisons, with an estimated 400 members, including leaders who face charges for continuing to coordinate criminal activity outside the prison, authorities said.