Forty-Six Latin King Gang Members and Associates Charged with Federal and State Drug Trafficking and Distribution Offenses

BOSTON—Forty-six individuals, many of whom are alleged to be leaders, members, significant criminal associates, or drug suppliers of the Latin Kings street gang, operating in New Bedford, Massachusetts, were charged today on federal and state drug offenses. The charges stem from a long-term investigation into narcotics sales in the area.

In 2006, an investigation into the Latin Kings resulted in the state and federal prosecution of 37 members and associates in the New Bedford area, significantly disrupting the gang for several years. In 2010, law enforcement began to see an increase in street-level drug sales and violence in areas of the city known to be occupied by the Latin Kings.

It is alleged that during the investigation, recorded undercover purchases revealed that over the last 18 months, the individuals arrested today sold narcotics in the New Bedford to cooperating witnesses and undercover officers. Three individuals have also been charged with drug trafficking offenses.

The following individuals were arrested this morning and have been charged with federal narcotics violations:

1) Jouseph Caraballo, 38, of New Bedford
2) Juan Serrano, 43, of New Bedford
3) Terrill McKissack, 24, of New Bedford
4) Raphael Pineda, 23, of New Bedford
5) Gabriel Vaszquez, 25, of New Bedford
6) Ezequiel Quinones, 39, of New Bedford (fugitive)
7) Javier Natal, 22, of New Bedford
8) Luis Guerra, 31, of New Bedford
9) Giovanni Vale-Valentin, 22, of New Bedford
10) Manuel Torres, 20, of New Bedford
11) Jesus Carrasquillo, 22, of New Bedford
12) Pedro Figueroa, 27, of New Bedford
13) Ramon Sanchez, 20, of New Bedford
14) Enoe Carrasquillo, 26, of Puerto Rico
15) Jesmeil Ortiz, 21, of Puerto Rico (fugitive)
16) Mari Gomez, 43, of New Bedford

The following individuals have been charged by federal complaint:

17) Jordan Jorge, 20, of New Bedford
18) Felicia Timoteo, 20, of New Bedford

The following individuals were arrested this morning and have been charged with state narcotics violations:

Superior Court Indictments:

1) Jose Vale, 53, of New Bedford
2) Tyrone Singleton, 39, of New Bedford
3) Carl Robinson, 47, of New Bedford
4) Irvin Olivero, 24, of New Bedford
5) Michael Santos, 32, of New Bedford
6) Diane Raposo, 33, of New Bedford
7) Matthew Wilson, 26, of New Bedford
8) Jason Chumack, 40, of New Bedford
9) Sandra Torres, 39, of New Bedford

District Court Charges:

1) Juvenile, 16, of New Bedford
2) Michael Waldron, 34, of New Bedford
3) Shane Valez, 23, of New Bedford
4) Lizette Brown, 44, of New Bedford
5) April Rose, 43, of New Bedford
6) Evandro Martins, 25, of New Bedford
7) Sunilda Ruiz, 46, of New Bedford
8) Beinbenido Baez, 20, of New Bedford
9) Yoneel Pagan, 19, of New Bedford
10) Tavon Thomas, 21, of New Bedford
11) Robert Woodard, 35, of New Bedford
12) Anthony Douglas, 28, of New Bedford
13) Meagan Cordeiro, 26, of New Bedford
14) Curtis Britto, 23, of New Bedford
15) Ronald Gonzalezstone, 32, of New Bedford
16) Tanairy Ruiz, 24, of New Bedford
17) William Figueroa, 30, of New Bedford
18) Jerry Morales-Perez, 29, of New Bedford
19) Luis Lopez, 27, of New Bedford

United States Attorney Carmen Ortiz; Richard DesLauriers, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Colonel Marian J. McGovern, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; C. Samuel Sutter, Bristol County District Attorney; Chief David A. Provencher of the New Bedford Police Department; Josh Wall, Chairman of the Massachusetts Parole Board; and Thomas M. Hodgson, Bristol County Sheriff made the announcement today.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Southeastern Massachusetts Gang Task Force. The federal cases are being prosecuted by an Assistant United States Attorney in Ortiz’s Organized Crime and Gang Unit. The state defendants will be prosecuted by District Attorney Sutter’s Office.