Worcester Latin Kings Leader Pleads Guilty To Drug Charge

WORCESTER, MA — A man whom federal authorities say was the leader of the Worcester Latin Kings gang pleaded guilty on Wednesday to a drug distribution charge, which could mean a jail sentence of up to 20 years.

Alvin Mojica, 32, was arrested in December in a sweep of Latin Kings gang members across New England. Mojica, who went by the name "King Humble," was one of 62 people arrested on Dec. 5 when federal and local police executed 31 search warrants across 24 locations, the culmination of a five-year RICO — Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act — investigation into the gang.

The highest-ranking member arrested in December was Michael Cecchetelli, of Springfield, who went by the name "King Merlin" and oversaw the east coast operations of the Latin Kings. Other high-ranking members arrested in the sweep included East Coast Crown Council chairwoman Esther Ortiz, a.k.a. "Queen India," and Hector Manuel Vega, a.k.a. "King Demon," a Crown Council member from Connecticut.

Federal authorities said Mojica sold about 14 grams of cocaine to a person who was cooperating with investigators. He is set to be sentenced on Oct. 28.