Dante Reyes, Conspiracy to Participate in Racketeering Activity, Indiana 2023

Hammond, Indiana - Dante Reyes, 35, a citizen of Mexico, pled guilty before Senior District Judge Rudy Lozano to the felony offense of conspiracy to participate in racketeering activity.

The indictment alleges that Reyes was a member of the Latin Kings, a well-organized street gang that has specific leadership and is comprised of regions with multiple chapters. The Latin Kings are a nationwide gang that originated in Chicago and has branched out throughout the United States, including to Texas.

According to this indictment, the Latin Kings gang was responsible for at least 19 murders in the Chicago/Northwest Indiana area and Big Spring, Texas. United States Attorney David Capp stated, “The Latin King indictments and the subsequent arrests and guilty pleas by all members have had a major, positive impact on the level of violence in our communities.

Reyes is the last defendant in custody of the 23 charged in the Latin King Rico conspiracy indictments to plead guilty. The other defendants who have pleaded guilty are:

Alexander Vargas, 35, of Highland, Indiana; Sisto Bernal, 46, of Chicago, Illinois; Jose Zambrano, 33, of Chicago, Illinois; Jason Ortiz, 30, of Chicago, Illinois; Brandon Clay, 26, of Chicago, Illinois; Jermaine Ellis, 23, of Chicago, Illinois; Martin Anaya, 42, of Chicago, Illinois; Ivan Quiroz, 30, of Posen, Illinois; Hiluterio Chavez, 37, of Chicago, Illinois; Sergio Robles, 24, of Hammond, Indiana; Emiliano Esparza, 40, of Chicago, Illinois; Santiago Gudino, 28, of Hammond, Indiana; Gabriel Jalomos, 26, of Chicago, Illinois; Oscar Gonzalez, 23, of Hammond, Indiana; David Lira, 39, of Lansing, Illinois; Victor Meza, 24, of Hammond, Indiana; Antonio Gudino, 31, of East Chicago, Indiana; Bianca Fernandez, 23, of Chicago, Illinois; Alex Guerrero, 43, of Chicago, Illinois; and Antonio C. Martinez, Jr., 42, of Chicago, Illinois.

Also charged, and still at large, is Paulino Salazar, 30, of Chicago, Illinois. Six of the defendants have been sentenced:

Brandon Clay was sentenced to 360 months imprisonment, David Lira was sentenced to 180 months imprisonment, and Antonio Gudino was sentenced to 175 months imprisonment after pleading guilty to conspiracy to participate in racketeering activity. Victor Meza, Jr. was sentenced to 96 months imprisonment after pleading guilty to conspiracy to participate in racketeering activity and conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute and distribute cocaine and marijuana. Bianca Fernandez was sentenced to 36 months imprisonment for conspiracy to murder in aid of racketeering activity. Alex Guerrero was sentenced to 228 months imprisonment after pleading guilty to conspiracy to participate in racketeering activity, conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute and distribute cocaine and marijuana, interference with commerce by threats or violence, and use and carrying of a firearm during and in relation to crimes of violence and drug trafficking.

This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the Drug Enforcement Administration; the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the U.S. Immigration and Custom Office of Homeland Security Investigations; the National Gang Targeting, Enforcement & Coordination Center; the National Gang Intelligence Center; the Chicago Police Department; the East Chicago Police Department; the Griffith Police Department; and the Hammond Police Department.

United States Attorney David Capp stated, “We are not finished – we will continue to investigate and prosecute members of organized criminal gangs or those who deal with such individuals.”

This case is a prime example of the successful collaboration between local and federal law enforcement agencies to take down a notorious gang and bring its members to justice.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndin/pr/last-defendant-custody-23-charged-latin-king-rico-conspiracy-indictments-pled-guilty