Eight additional reputed members of the Latin Kings street gang have been rounded up on federal charges of conspiracy to commit murder and trafficking in drugs and guns.
A grand jury also indicted new charges against five of the eight alleged Latin Kings from Huntington Station arrested in March. The 13 suspects—some of whom are allegedly from the Brentwood division of the gang—were scheduled to be arraigned Thursday in Central Islip federal court.
Alleged Latin Kings arrested in March from top left: Angel Cordero, Luis Lemus, Edwin Morejon, Jose Sosa, Scal Mazara, Jeremiah Bowens and Antonio Diaz Jr. (SCPD)
The allegations include four shootings, conspiracy to murder members of rival street gangs—including the Crips, Southside Posse, Zulu Nation and MS-13—trafficking in firearms, harboring shooting suspects, distributing crack cocaine and heroin and illegal gun possession, among other charges.
Prosecutors said that the Brentwood and Huntington Station Latin Kings became involved in shootouts with the rival gangs in February 2008 and the same month tried to shoot a bouncer at a Nesconset nightclub because he had punched a member of the Latin Kings during a fight. Later that year members of the gang allegedly tried to rob a drug dealer at his Kings Park home.
FBI agents with the Long Island Gang Task Force said over the following nine months, a pattern of retaliatory shootings and attempted shootings erupted between the Latin Kings and other rival gangs in the Huntington Station area—including gunfire into a home in which a 1-year-old baby slept.
Investigators used a Latin King-turned confidential informant and wiretaps to build their case.
Those arrested Thursday include 25-year-old Luis Hernandez, 23-year-old William Rodriguez, 29-year-old Michael Diaz, 22-year-old Jose Candelario, 24-year-old Ruddy Vasquez, 30-year-old Robert Williams, 24-year-old Edwin Rivera, Jr. and 29-year-old Luis Hernandez, Jr.
The Huntington Station Latin Kings who were arrested in March and face additional charges this week include Angel Cordero, 27, who was described as the leader of the group, 22-year-old Jose Sosa, 21-year-old Luis Lemus, 20-year-old Edwin Morejon and Scal Mazra, 26.
The other three suspects arrested in March were Antonio Diaz Jr., Jeremiah Bowens and a juvenile, whose name was not released because of his age.
Of those arrested Thursday, all 13 face a minimum of five years in federal prison and 10 face a maximum of life imprisonment.
The investigation is continuing.
NY Plaintiff: Gay Benefits ‘Bigger Than Marriage’
Cuomo Takes High Midterm Grades Into Critical Year
