Latin King Leader Mark Toney Gets 87 Months

Hammond, IN — Mark Toney, 41, of Schererville, Indiana, has been sentenced to 87 months in federal prison for his role as a leader in the Chicago-based Latin Kings street gang. Toney pleaded guilty to conspiracy to participate in racketeering activity and was handed down the sentence by U.S. District Court Judge Philip P. Simon, with an additional 2 years of supervised release tacked on.

Toney, a member of the Latin Kings for most of his adult life, held a leadership position within the Hammond faction of the gang. Federal documents detail a violent and calculated criminal run: he ordered hits on rival gang members, carried firearms, and oversaw the sale of cocaine and marijuana across Northwest Indiana. His fingerprints were all over a sustained campaign of intimidation, drug distribution, and street-level warfare.

Among the aggravating factors in Toney’s sentencing was his direct involvement in the distribution of between 3.5 and 5 kilograms of cocaine. Prosecutors emphasized his authority within the organization, painting a picture of a man who didn’t just follow orders—he gave them. His role extended beyond drug sales; he helped maintain the gang’s violent grip on neighborhoods through fear and retribution.

The investigation that brought Toney down was a sprawling, multi-agency effort. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives led the charge, working alongside local forces including the East Chicago, Gary, and Hammond Police Departments, the Lake County Sheriff’s Department, and Lake County HIDTA officers. This was not a lone wolf takedown—it was a coordinated strike on an entrenched criminal enterprise.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys David J. Nozick and Nicholas J. Padilla handled the prosecution in the Northern District of Indiana, with support from the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois. The case stands as a testament to federal-local partnerships in dismantling organized street gangs.

Toney’s conviction sends a stark message: leadership in a criminal organization carries steep consequences. While 87 months is not life, it’s a heavy toll for years of running drugs, wielding guns, and fueling gang violence in Lake County communities. The feds aren’t just targeting foot soldiers—they’re going after the men giving the orders.

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