Latin King Gang Member Sentenced To Prison For Racketeering Conspiracy

HAMMOND-David Ulmenstine, 28, of Posen, Illinois, and a member of the Chicago-based Latin Kings, was sentenced by Judge Simon to 70 months in prison and 2 years of supervised release following his guilty plea to conspiracy to participate in racketeering activity, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.   

According to documents in the case, Ulmenstine was held responsible for activity involving between 400 and 500 grams of cocaine distributed by the Latin Kings street gang.  As a member of the Latin Kings, Ulmenstine attended gang meetings and paid dues, which went to the purchase of such things as firearms and narcotics for the gang.  Ulmenstine was involved in distributing narcotics and patrolled Latin King neighborhoods looking out for rival gang members and police.  

This case is the result of the investigative efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the East Chicago Police Department, the Gary Police Department, the Hammond Police Department, the Lake County, Indiana, Sheriff’s Department and Lake County High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area officers and agents.  The Lake County Prosecutor’s Office and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Illinois, have also provided assistance.  The Latin King case is being prosecuted by Northern District of Indiana Assistant U.S. Attorneys David J. Nozick and Nicholas J. Padilla.