Former Leader of Fitchburg Chapter of Latin Kings Sentenced for Racketeering Conspiracy

BOSTON – The former leader of the Fitchburg Chapter of the Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation (“Latin Kings”) was sentenced today in federal court in Boston.

Marlon Rivera, a/k/a “King Pluto,” 36, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge Rya W. Zobel to 42 months in prison and three years of supervised release. In August 2020, Rivera pleaded guilty to conspiracy to conduct enterprise affairs through a pattern of racketeering activity, more commonly referred to as RICO conspiracy. Rivera was serving a related state sentence when he was charged in December 2019.

The Latin Kings are a violent gang 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 criminal organization. As alleged in court documents, 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.

In addition to his membership in the Latin Kings, Rivera founded the Devon Street Kings Chapter in Boston, and recently was the Inca, or leader, of the Fitchburg Chapter of the Latin Kings. Evidence developed during the course of the investigation included recordings of Rivera participating in meetings, discussing business of the enterprise, and possessing cocaine base with intent to distribute.

In December 2019, a federal grand jury returned an indictment alleging racketeering conspiracy, drug conspiracy and firearms charges against 62 leaders, members and associates of the Latin Kings. Marlon Rivera is the sixth defendant to be sentenced in the case.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; and Commissioner Carol Mici of the Massachusetts Department of Correction. 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. Attorneys Philip A. Mallard and Lauren Graber of Lelling’s Criminal Division are prosecuting the case.

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

This case 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.