Five Springfield men among 60 suspected Latin Kings members arrested

Operation Throne Down

Posted: Dec 5, 2019 / 01:14 PM EST / Updated: Dec 8, 2019 / 06:04 AM EST

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – After a four-year investigation, federal, state, and local enforcement officers arrested over 60 members of the Latin Kings gang, five of whom are from Springfield.

According to the office of U.S Attorney Andrew E. Lelling, 31 search warrants at 24 locations were conducted following the arrests.

Lelling stated criminal activity in the Eastern Region is led by 40-year-old Michael Cecchetelli also known as “King Merlin” of Springfield.

There are 11 active Latin Kings Chapters operating in Massachusetts: D5K (Boston), Morton Street Bricks (Boston), New Bedford, Springfield, Lynn/Salem, Chelsea, Lowell, Lawrence, Worcester, Fitchburg and within the Department of Corrections.

Feds: Over 60 Latin Kings members arrested along East Coast

Cecchetelli is alleged to be the conduit between each of the Eastern Region states and the Latin Kings national leadership in Chicago. He developed a leadership approach to the gang which has become a model for other Latin Kings regions of the country.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling

The gang uses drug distribution to generate revenue and is motivated by a desire to further its influence and to protect its turf from rival gangs.

After years of investigation, evidence has been developed that the Latin Kings trafficked drugs, conspired to murder more than 10 victims, and were involved in numerous incidents of robbery, shootings, stabbings, and witness intimidation.

“The RICO conspiracy charge provides a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Depending on the drug quantity, the drug trafficking conspiracy and distribution charges provide for a sentence of up to 20 years, 40 years, or life, a minimum of three, four or five years of supervised release and fines of $1 million, $5 million and $10 million.
Based on the drug quantity, the drug trafficking conspiracy and distribution charges provides a sentence of up to 20 years, 40 years, or life. There could be a minimum of three to five years of supervised release and fines of $1 million, $5 million and $10 million.”
Office of U.S Attorney Andrew E. Lelling

Operation Throne Down Defendants:

Michael Cecchetelli, King Merlin: Springfield, MA
- East Coast Team
- East Coast Overseer
Esther Ortiz, Queen India: Meriden, CT
- East Coast Team
- East Coast Crown Council Chairwoman
Hector Manuel Vega, King Demon: Britain, CT
- East Coast Team
- Crown Council Member, CT
Jorge Rodriguez, King G
- State Team, Cacique
- Enforcer (Former)
Michael Marrero, King Clumsy
- State Team, Enforcer
- Regional Officer (Former)
Francisco Lopez, King Cisco: Chelsea, MA
- State Team, Treasurer/Secretary
Gregory Peguero-Colon, King Trece: Springfield, MA
- State Team
- Crown Council Chairman
Juan Liberato, King Prodigy: Haverhill, MA
- State Team, Inca (Former)
Angel Roldan, King Big-A and Nelty: Lowell, MA
- State Team, Cacique (Former)
- Enforcer (Former)
Frutuoso Barros, King Fruity
- DOC, Supreme Regional Officer
Sandra Correa, Queen Dream: Peabody, MA
- DOC, Secretary (Former)
Shaun Harrison Rev
- DOC, Member
Vincent Dzierwinski, King Vice
- DOC, Member
Wilson Peguero, King Dubb: Dorchester, MA
- D5K, Inca
Alexis Peguero, King Lexi/Looney: Dorchester, MA
- D5K, Cacique
Matthew Palacios, King Nene
- D5K, Enforcer
Steven Familia-Valdez, King Haze: Mattapan, MA
- D5K, Member
Dante Lara, King Nasty: Providence, RI
- D5K, Member
Robert Lara, King Rizz: Chelsea, MA
- D5K, Member
Angel Abymael Ortiz, King Abby: Randolph, MA
- D5K, Member
Angel Rodriguez, King Ace: Dorchester, MA
- D5K, Member
- Crown Council Chairman for Boston
Alexis Velasquez, King Booboo: Dorchester, MA
- MSB, Inca
Angel Calderon, King Bam
- MSB
- (Former) State Team Head of Security
Oscar Pena, King O-Block
- D5K, Member
Jose Rodriguez, King Stutter: New Bedford, MA
- New Bedford, Inca
Orlando Santiago-Torres, King Landi
- New Bedford, Cacique
Robert Avitabile a/k/a Bobby
- New Bedford, Associate
Taliyah Barboza, Queen Taliyah: New Bedford, MA
- New Bedford, Member
Josue Carrasquillo, King Playboy: Springfield, MA
- New Bedford, Member
Michael Cotto, King Gordo: New Bedford, MA
- New Bedford, (Former) Regional Officer
Juan Figueroa, King Pun: Dorchester, MA
- New Bedford, Member
Issac Felix-Rivera, King Izzy
- New Bedford, Member
Kevin Guadalupe, King Milly: New Bedford, MA
- New Bedford, Member
Shelton Johnson, King Shells: New Bedford, MA
- New Bedford, Member
Tyson Jorge, King Music
- New Bedford, Member
Emanuel Lopez-Velez, King Manny
- New Bedford, Probationary Member
Luis Mendez, King Primo
- New Bedford, Member, Incarcerated
Raekwan Paris, King D-Bo
- New Bedford, Member
Jayco Reyes-Smith, King Javy
- Former New Bedford Member, now in North Carolina
Luis Santiago, King Tiny
- New Bedford, Member, Incarcerated
Roberto Vargas, King Royalty
- New Bedford, Member
Jose Vasquez, King Fearless
- New Bedford, Member
Natanel Velazquez, King Nael: New Bedford, MA
- New Bedford, Member
Israel Rodriguez, King Imperial: Lynn, MA
- North Shore, Inca
Alfred Nieves, King Alfy: Lowell, MA
- Lowell, Inca
Marlon Rivera, King Pluto
- Fitchburg, Member
- D5K, Founder
Ines Lugo, Queen China: New Bedford, MA
- New Bedford, Secretary
Jeremia Medina, King Sweepy: New Bedford, MA
- New Bedford, Enforcer
Bienvenido Nunez, King Apache: Enfield, CT
- State Team, Inca
Tanairy Ruiz, Queen Tanairy: New Bedford, MA
- New Bedford, Member
Xavier Valentin-Soto, King X
- New Bedford, Member
- (Former) Cascique, Incarcerated
Joel Francisco, King Casper
- Rhode Island, Member
Eric Thomas, King E
- Rhode Island, Inca
Alvin Mojica, King Humble
- Worcester, Inca
Sophia Velasquez, Queen Sophia
- Fitchburg, Member
Dairon Rivera, King Mafia
- Fitchburg, Member
Hector Adorno, King Gordo
- Springfield, Member
Jesus Diaz, King Kiko
- N. Shore, Member
Henry Caribe, King 40cal
- N. Shore, Member
Jonathan Cassiano, King Legend
- Springfield, Member
Antoine Goodson
- Associate, gun supplier to gang
Derek Southworth
- Associate, gun supplier to gang