LANGLEY PARK, Md. - Federal and local authorities conducted a series of raids Thursday morning, allegedly targeting the Latin Kings gang, part of a federal indictment for 19 reputed members on racketeering charges.

While much of the media focus has been on the presence of the violent MS-13 gang, federal authorities charged Thursday that in the last two years the Latin Kings have become just as big a problem.

Formed in Chicago in the 1940s, the Latin Kings only spread to the Washington region in 2007, investigators say. But they've already had a big impact, according to Maryland U.S. Attorney Rod Rosenstein.

"The indictment charges the members of the Latin Kings conspired to commit murders, robberies, witness tampering and arson to further the activities of the criminal enterprise," Rosenstein said.

Rosenstein and other officials held a late afternoon news conference to announce the broad federal racketeering indictment against 19 alleged members of the Latin Kings, many of who were arrested in a pre-dawn ATF-led sweep Thursday in Montgomery and Prince George's counties.

Just before 6 a.m. ATF agents burst through Roddy Parades door in Langley Park and arrested his son, Roddy Jr.

"They treat us like terrorists," said Roddy Sr. "Like that many people with guns." When asked if his son was a member of the Latin Kings, Roddy Sr replied, 'No."

Remy Heath, 25

We got the same response a few blocks away, where the ATF went looking for alleged gang member Remy Heath. His stepfather downplayed any possible gang affiliation, even though heath is now considered a fugitive.

"I can tell you he's like a lot of youth that are out today -- lost, hanging out, looking for people to hang with," said Clay Hawley, who also denied his stepson was a member of the Latin Kings.

But, according to the U.S. Attorney, the message is clear.

"If you're part of an organization that is planning criminal activity, planning arsons and murders and rapes and robberies -- that is not a social group, that is a gang," Rosenstein said.

A news release identified those indicted as Erick Roman, 33; Miguel Cruz, 44; Matthew Aguilar, 24; Miguel Castillo, 22; Joseph Deleon, 28; Andres Echevarria, 22; Remy Heath, 25; Jorge Kilgore, 20; Erick Martinez, 19; Melvin Carlos Nolasco, 22; Senni Nolasco-Rodriguez, 20; Francisco Ortiz, 25; Roddy E. Paredes Jr., 27; Leuri Read, 21; Alejandro Ivan Rodriguez, 32; Nelson Santos, 26; Chinua Shepperdson, 27; Brandon Smith, 25; and Hugo Soto-Moran, 22.

If convicted of the racketeering charges, the defendants could face life in prison.

 

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