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Latin Kings Member Charged with Murder
A 40-year-old man, identified as Martin Anaya, aka ‘Lefty,’ has been indicted for his alleged role in a racketeering conspiracy in Hammond, Ind., and elsewhere. Anaya is charged with conspiracy to engage in a racketeering activity, murder, and using and carrying a firearm to commit murder during and in relation to a crime of violence.
The superseding indictment, returned by the federal grand jury on Oct. 22, 2010, and unsealed yesterday in Hammond charges Anaya, along with previously charged defendants Alexander Vargas, aka ‘Pacman,’ 33, of Highland, Ind.; Sisto Bernal, aka ‘Cisco,’ aka ‘Shug,’ 44, of Chicago; Jason Ortiz, aka ‘Creeper,’ 27, of Chicago; and Brandon Clay, aka ‘Cheddar,’ aka ‘Swiss,’ aka ‘Slick,’ 23, of Chicago.
The indictment alleges that the southeast region of the Latin Kings is responsible for at least 15 murders. Specifically, it alleges that Vargas, Ortiz, Clay, and other Latin King members participated in the murder of rival gang members James Walsh and Gonzalo Diaz outside of a bar in Griffith, Ind., in the early morning of Feb. 25, 2007. The indictment also alleges that Ortiz, Clay, and Anaya participated in the murder of Christiana Campos on April 22, 2009.
In addition to the violent crimes, the indictment alleges that the Latin Kings also distributed more than 150 kilograms of cocaine and 1,000 kilograms of marijuana. The Latin Kings is a nationwide gang that originated in Chicago and has branches throughout the United States.
Anaya made his initial appearance yesterday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Andrew Rodovich. The remaining defendants will be arraigned before Judge Rodovich on Nov. 2, 2010, at 1 p.m.
The case is being investigated by the FBI; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Drug Enforcement Administration; Immigration, Customs and Enforcement; the National Gang Targeting, Enforcement & Coordination Center; the National Gang Intelligence Center; the Chicago Police Department, the Griffith Police Department; the Highland, Ind., Police Department; the Hammond Police Department; and the Houston Police Department.
The racketeering conspiracy charge carries a maximum penalty of life in prison. The murder-related charges carry maximum penalties of life in prison or the death penalty. The felon in possession of a firearm and possession of stolen firearms charges each carry a maximum prison sentence of 10 years.
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Key Facts
- State: Indiana
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release ↗
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