Latin King ‘King Pun’ Admits to Racketeering, Shooting

BOSTON – Juan Figueroa, 25, known on the streets as “King Pun,” has confessed to his role in the violent racketeering activities of the Boston-based Devon Street Kings chapter of the Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation. Figueroa pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to conduct enterprise affairs through a pattern of racketeering activity – a RICO conspiracy – admitting to shooting at a fellow gang member in June 2019. The case lays bare the brutal reality of gang life in Massachusetts.

Figueroa, formerly a member of both the Boston and New Bedford chapters, was arrested in December 2019 as part of a massive federal crackdown on the Latin Kings. The indictment, which named 62 individuals, alleges a widespread conspiracy involving drug distribution, violence, and intimidation. Figueroa is the twelfth defendant to admit guilt, signaling a potential unraveling of the organization’s grip on the city. He faces up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.

Federal prosecutors detailed how the Latin Kings operate as a sophisticated criminal enterprise, complete with a national manifesto, internal court system, and encrypted communication networks. The gang allegedly uses drug trafficking as its primary revenue source, violently silencing rivals and witnesses to maintain control of its territory. The Devon Street Kings, like other chapters, are accused of enforcing their dominance through fear and bloodshed.

But Figueroa’s involvement wasn’t limited to street violence. Court documents reveal he wasn’t just a shooter, but a propagandist. Under the moniker “The Almighty King Pun,” he produced a series of music videos and songs glorifying the gang’s lifestyle. These tracks featured gang members displaying firearms, bragging about their drug operations, and issuing threats to opposing gangs. The videos were designed to recruit new members and intimidate anyone who dared to cross the Latin Kings.

This case is the result of a coordinated effort by multiple law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, Massachusetts Department of Correction, Boston Police, and New Bedford Police. The multi-agency task force operated under the umbrella of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), a federal program dedicated to dismantling major drug trafficking organizations. The OCDETF program aims to disrupt the flow of illegal drugs and the associated violence that plagues communities across the nation.

U.S. Attorney Andrew E. Lelling, along with key law enforcement officials, announced the guilty plea today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Philip A. Mallard and Mark Grady are prosecuting the case. While Figueroa’s admission is a victory for law enforcement, the remaining defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and expose the dark underbelly of organized crime in Massachusetts. Sentencing for Figueroa is scheduled for December 9, 2020.

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