HAMMOND, IN – The streets of Northwest Indiana are a little less hospitable for the Latin Kings today. U.S. Attorney David Capp announced federal racketeering charges against eleven more members of the notorious gang, adding to an existing indictment that already implicated 26 individuals. The new charges don’t stop at racketeering; authorities also allege a widespread drug conspiracy involving the newly indicted and one additional individual.
Named in today’s indictment are: Jeremiah Shane Farmer, 35, of Hammond, IN; Lazaro Francisco Delgado-Gonzalez, Jr. a/k/a “Pollo Loco”, 27, of Highland, IN; Timothy Maurice Diaz a/k/a “Slice”, 34, of Hammond, IN; Sean Michael Pena a/k/a “Big Body”, 34, of Hammond, IN; Marquis Sean Medellin a/k/a “Kilo”, 30, of Hammond, IN; David Ulmenstine a/k/a “Silent”, 25, of Harvey, IL; Jorge Esqueda a/k/a “Silent”, 22, of East Chicago, IN; Juan Alcaraz a/k/a “Silent”, 28, of Hammond, IN; Miguel Angel Marines a/k/a “Egg”, 22, of East Chicago, IN; Rafael Cancel, 35, of Hammond, IN; Kash Lee Kelly, 28, of Hammond, IN; and Eduardo Ivel a/k/a “Little Smiley”, 21, of Hammond, IN. All but Kash Lee Kelly are charged with conspiracy to participate in racketeering activity, while all twelve face charges related to a conspiracy to distribute narcotics.
Eight of these individuals – Delgado-Gonzalez, Medellin, Ulmenstine, Esqueda, Alcaraz, Marines, Cancel, and Kelly – were taken into custody today. Farmer and Ivel were already in state custody on unrelated charges. But the net didn’t catch everyone. Timothy Maurice Diaz and Sean Michael Pena are currently at large and considered fugitives. The FBI is urging anyone with information on their whereabouts to contact them at 317-595-4000. Tips can also be directed to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives at 1-800-ATF-GUNS.
This isn’t just about drugs. The indictment details a pattern of violence and intimidation used to maintain the Latin Kings’ grip on the region. New evidence points to retaliatory arsons on January 5, 2013, on Durbin Street in Gary, and on March 22, 2013, on Sherman Street, also in Gary. The investigation builds on previous indictments that charged Anton James with murder in aid of racketeering for the October 28, 2014, shooting death of Martin Hurtado Sr., allegedly mistaken for his son, a rival gang member.
The indictment also lays out details of two previously uncharged murders. Travis Nash was allegedly gunned down on July 18, 2011, by Reynaldo Robles, acting on orders from Aldon Perez (already indicted). On August 14, 2014, Keith Trevor Manuel and Joseph Uvalle (also previously indicted) allegedly directed Latin King members to attack Estrella’s Bar in Hammond, Indiana, after the owner allowed rival gang members to patronize the establishment. A shooting ensued, resulting in the death of Raudel Contreras. Adding another layer of depravity, Joseph Uvalle also faces sex trafficking charges carried over from the previous indictment.
“As I have repeatedly stated,” said U.S. Attorney Capp, “if you choose to live a life of crime, we will relentlessly pursue you.” This latest indictment is a clear signal that federal and local law enforcement are committed to dismantling criminal organizations like the Latin Kings and reclaiming the streets of Northwest Indiana. The investigation is ongoing, and further arrests are expected.
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Key Facts
- State: Indiana
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Organized Crime|Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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