WASHINGTON – Six alleged members of the Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation (Latin Kings) have been indicted for their alleged roles 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 indictment, returned by a federal grand jury on June 17, 2010, and unsealed today in Hammond, Ind., charges:
Alexander Vargas, aka ‘Pacman,’ 33, of Highland, Ind., with conspiracy to engage in racketeering activity. Vargas was arrested today.
The indictment alleges the defendants engaged in a series of acts in furtherance and in promotion of the Latin Kings. As alleged in the indictment, Vargas, Sisto Bernal and Jose Zambrano traveled from the Chicago/northwest Indiana area to Texas to meet with the Texas Latin Kings hierarchy on May 29, 2005. As alleged in the indictment, Bernal threatened to ‘smash’ the Texas Latin Kings leadership if they did not comply with the rules established by the Chicago-area Latin Kings hierarchy.
The indictment also alleges that Jason Ortiz, Brandon Clay and Jermaine Ellis participated in the murder of rival gang members James Walsh and Gonzalo Diaz. The murders took place outside of a bar in Griffith, Ind., in the early morning of February 25, 2007.
Upon conviction, Ortiz and Clay face a maximum sentence of life in federal prison or the death penalty. The remaining defendants face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. Vargas, Bernal, Zambrano, Clay and Ortiz were arrested today. Zambrano made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Andrew Rodovich on Monday, and Vargas, Bernal, Clay and Ortiz made their initial appearance before Judge Rodovich today. Ellis is currently being held in custody in Chicago and will be scheduled for an initial appearance on a later date.
According to the indictment, the Latin Kings is a nation-wide gang that originated in Chicago and has spread throughout the United States. The Latin Kings is a well-organized street gang that has specific leadership and is comprised of regions that include multiple chapters. As alleged in the indictment, 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.
Mandatory facts:
- Defendant/Respondent Real Full Name or Legal Entity Name: Alexander Vargas
- Criminal Charges: Conspiracy to engage in racketeering activity, Murder, Using and carrying a firearm to commit murder during and in relation to a crime of violence, Murder resulting from the use and carrying of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, Possessing a firearm after having been convicted of a felony, Possessing stolen firearms.
- City and State: Highland, Indiana
- Exact Date with Month/Day/Year: June 17, 2010 (indictment) and February 25, 2007 (crimes)
- Sentence or Outcome: Currently in custody, awaiting trial
Related Federal Cases
- Dante Reyes, Racketeering Conspiracy, Indiana 2013 · Ohio
- Dante Reyes, Conspiracy to Participate in Racketeering Activity, Indiana 2023 · Michigan
- Janette Ingram, Conspiracy in Federal Racketeering Case, Indiana 2020 · Indiana
- Brandon Romand Parks, Racketeering Conspiracy, Indiana 2023 · Michigan
- Antonio C. Martinez, Racketeering Conspiracy, Indiana 2012 · Indiana
Key Facts
- State: Indiana
- Category: Organized Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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