Latin Kings Targeted in Massive Chicago Gang Takedown

CHICAGO, IL - Three dozen members of Chicago’s Latin Kings street gang were indicted Tuesday with several gang related offenses.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced charges against 36 members of the gang in two indictments, one focusing on the gang’s activity on the Southeast Side of Chicago and the other on their connections in suburban Melrose Park and Maywood.

The indictments allege the gang members “violently enforced discipline within its ranks and retaliated against rivals and former members to prevent cooperation with law enforcement.”

Charges of murder, attempted murder, assault with dangerous weapons, arson and extortion were included in the indictments.

All but two of the gang members included in the indictments were charged with racketeering conspiracy. One was hit with selling a firearm without a license and the last to be charged was cited with being a felon in possession of a firearm.

The Southeast Region of the Latin Kings, according to the indictment, includes several chapters named after the streets they control. 82nd, 88th, 89th, 97th, 99th, 102nd and 104th streets were among where the charged operated from.

The high-ranking members of this section of the gang - Raul Cavillo, 33; Joel Nunez, 29 and Carlos Padilla Jr., 35 - were referred to as “regional enforcers” in the indictment.

The gang members in Melrose Park and Maywood were referred to as the “M-Town” section. Hierarchy taken down here included “Incas” Piere Paolo Gennell, 30; Jose F. Hernandez, 45 and David Perez, 26.

Several local police departments assisted the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the investigation, including ones in Melrose Park, Maywood, Joliet and Orland Park.