Leader of North Shore Chapter of Latin Kings Sentenced for Racketeering Conspiracy

BOSTON – A former Inca, or first-in-command, of the North Shore Chapter of the Massachusetts Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation (Latin Kings) was sentenced today on racketeering charges.

Israel Rodriguez, a/k/a “King Izzy,” a/k/a “King Imperial,” 41, of Lynn, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge Rya W. Zobel to time served (approximately four months in prison) and two years of supervised release. In February 2021, Rodriguez pleaded guilty to conspiracy to conduct enterprise affairs through a pattern of racketeering activity, more commonly referred to as RICO conspiracy. 

Rodriguez admitted to his role in an August 2018 conspiracy to “terminate” a leader of the Fitchburg Chapter of the Latin Kings who was suspected of cooperating with law enforcement. On intercepted phone calls, Rodriguez discussed an elaborate ruse to trick this leader into attending a meeting where he would be ambushed and beaten by other Latin Kings members.  

The Latin Kings are a violent criminal enterprise comprised of thousands of members across the United States. The Latin Kings adhere to a national manifesto, employ an internal judiciary and use a sophisticated system of communication to maintain the hierarchy of the organization. As alleged in court documents, the gang uses drug distribution to generate revenue, and engages in violence against witnesses and rival gangs to further its influence and to protect its turf. 
In December 2019, a federal grand jury in Boston returned an indictment alleging racketeering conspiracy, drug conspiracy and firearms charges against 62 leaders, members and associates of the Latin Kings. In total, 60 defendants in the case have pleaded guilty and have been sentenced or are awaiting sentencing, and two remain fugitives. Rodriguez is the 57th defendant to be sentenced. 

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Commissioner Carol Mici of the Massachusetts Department of Correction; and New Bedford Police Chief Paul Oliveira made the announcement. Valuable assistance was also provided by the FBI North Shore Gang Task Force and the Bristol County and Suffolk County District Attorney’s Offices. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip A. Mallard of Rollins’ Organized Crime & Gang Unit prosecuted the case.

This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The two remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.