MS-13 Associate Pleads Guilty to Federal Charge of Conspiracy to Commit Murder in Aid of Racketeering and is Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison

<Defendant Drove MS-13 Members to Location in Frederick Where Victim was Beheaded, Dismembered, and Buried in a Shallow Grave;Thirty Defendants Chargedin this Case to Date

Baltimore, Maryland – Chief U.S. District Judge James K. Bredar sentenced MS-13 associate Luis Cruz Rodriguez, age 23, of Frederick, Maryland, to 10 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, after Cruz Rodriguez pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering. The guilty plea was entered on November 3, 2020, and Chief Judge Bredar imposed the sentence immediately following the plea.

>https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/pr/ms-13-associate-pleads-guilty-federal-charge-conspiracy-commit-murder-aid-racketeering

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Member of North Shore Chapter of Latin Kings Sentenced for Drug Conspiracy Charges

Caribe admitted that on seven occasions from January to March 2015, he and a co-conspirator distributed 78 grams of cocaine base to acooperating witnessduring audio/video recorded transactions. At the time, Caribe was a member of the North Shore chapter of the Latin Kings.

TheLatin Kingsare 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, afederal grand juryin Boston returned an indictment allegingracketeeringconspiracy, drug conspiracy and firearms charges against62 leadersmembers and associates of the Latin Kings. Caribe is the third defendant to be sentenced in this case.

>https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/member-north-shore-chapter-latin-kings-sentenced-drug-conspiracy-charges