Latin King Founder Sentenced for Murder in Aid of Racketeering

ALLENTOWN—Luis Colon, 28, of Allentown, Pennsylvania, was sentenced today to 28 years in prison for conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise, conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering activity, distribution of a controlled substance, distribution of a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a public housing facility, and use and carrying of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. Colon, a/k/a “King Respect,” was the founding member and “First Crown” of the Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation (“ALKQN” or “Latin Kings”), Bethlehem Sun Tribe. A total of 24 members of the gang were charged federally in 2010 with crimes that included using violence and intimidation as a means to maintain territory, power, and profits. The gang even kidnapped, assaulted, and murdered its own members for violating any of the tribes rules. Colon was one of 12 members charged with the RICO conspiracy. He pleaded guilty on July 9, 2011.

Among the crimes that Colon participated in:

■On March 17, 2004, in Vineland, New Jersey, Luis Colon and five co-defendants traveled to Vineland, New Jersey upon orders of the Philadelphia chapter of the Latin Kings, armed with firearms, body armor, and ammunition, to serve as “soldiers” to assist in the murder of members of the New Jersey Latin Kings. The plan was thwarted when law enforcement raided the gathering location and arrested Colon and other Latin King members.

■On January 27, 2008, Luis Colon and four co-defendants discussed the possible murder of someone they believed had cooperated with law enforcement in the Saucon Park murder investigation.

■Between November 22, 2007 and February 2, 2010, in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Luis Colon and three co-defendants distributed crack cocaine and methamphetamine.

■In May 2008, the defendant hired two individuals, including a fellow Latin Kings member, to travel to Las Vegas to pick up approximately four pounds of methamphetamine from the defendant’s uncle and return it to Bethlehem via Philadelphia International Airport. The defendant provided the couriers with $40,000 in cash for the purchase. The defendant then waited at the airport for the men to return. However, on their return flight from Las Vegas, law enforcement officers intercepted their luggage and seized 1,793 grams of methamphetamine before the defendant could take possession of it.

In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Court Judge Joel H. Slomsky ordered Colon to pay a $3,000 fine and complete 10 years of supervised release.

This case was part of the “222 Corridor Anti-Gang Initiative,” a federally funded program designed to defeat some of the most violent and pervasive gangs in the country.

The case was investigated by the FBI Philadelphia Division Allentown Resident Agency, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General, and the Bethlehem Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney John M. Gallagher.

OGK Gang Member Sentencing

Nineteenth OGK Defendant Sentenced, Receives 201 Additional Months’ Incarceration in Federal Racketeering Case

United States Attorney Richard S. Hartunian announced today that DUSHAWN POUGH, a/k/a Sixx and Six, age 26, of Albany, New York, was sentenced today by United States District Court Judge Gary L. Sharpe to 201 months’ incarceration and five years of supervised release following his release from incarceration. This sentence follows his pleas of guilty to a racketeering conspiracy charge and a narcotics conspiracy charge as set forth in counts one and two of a federal indictment relating to the criminal activities of the ORIGINAL GANGSTER KILLERS (OGK) or “Downtown” gang, which operated within the City of Albany.

POUGH is the 19th OGK gang member to be sentenced. POUGH previously had admitted that he was an OGK gang member and had conspired with other persons to possess with intent to distribute and distribute crack cocaine within the Northern District of New York. POUGH’s involvement in the narcotics conspiracy involved the possession with intent to distribute and distribution of more than 50 grams of cocaine base (crack cocaine). POUGH had also previously admitted that he had participated in an act of violence against another individual.

This prosecution resulted from a joint investigation conducted by the Office of the United States Attorney for the Northern District of New York; the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Albany Field Division; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives; the Drug Enforcement Administration, Albany District Office; the City of Albany Police Department; the Albany County Sheriff’s Department; the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Department; the New York State Department of Corrections; the New York State Division of Parole; the New York State Police; the United States Marshal, Northern District of New York, Albany Office; the Albany County District Attorney’s Office; the Rensselaer County District Attorney’s Office; the Town of Guilderland Police Department; the Town of Bethlehem Police Department; and the City of Cohoes Police Department.

CONTACT:

William C. Pericak, Deputy Criminal Chief
Carlos A. Moreno, Assistant United States Attorney
(518) 431-0247

OGK Gang Member Sentencing

Fifteenth OGK Defendant Sentenced, Receives 56 Additional Months’ Incarceration in Federal Racketeering Case

United States Attorney Richard S. Hartunian announced today that JOMEEK McNEAL, a/k/a Meek Meek, a/k/a Streets, age 24, of Albany, New York, was sentenced today by United States District Court Judge Gary L. Sharpe to 56 months’ incarceration and three years of supervised release following his release from incarceration. This sentence follows his plea of guilty to a racketeering conspiracy charge as set forth in count one of a federal indictment relating to the criminal activities of the ORIGINAL GANGSTER KILLERS (OGK) or “Downtown” gang, which operated within the City of Albany.

McNEAL is the 15th OGK gang member to be sentenced. McNEAL previously had admitted that he was an OGK gang member and had conspired with other persons to possess with intent to distribute and distribute crack cocaine within the Northern District of New York. McNEAL’S involvement in the narcotics conspiracy involved the possession with intent to distribute and distribution of more than 50 grams of cocaine base (crack cocaine).

This prosecution resulted from a joint investigation conducted by the Office of the United States Attorney for the Northern District of New York; the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Albany Field Division; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives; the Drug Enforcement Administration, Albany District Office; the City of Albany Police Department; the Albany County Sheriff’s Department; the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Department; the New York State Department of Corrections; the New York State Division of Parole; the New York State Police; the United States Marshal, Northern District of New York, Albany Office; the Albany County District Attorney’s Office; the Rensselaer County District Attorney’s Office; the Town of Guilderland Police Department; the Town of Bethlehem Police Department; and the City of Cohoes Police Department.

CONTACT:

William C. Pericak, Deputy Criminal Chief

Carlos A. Moreno, Assistant United States Attorney

(518) 431-0247

OGK Gang Member Sentencing

Eleventh OGK Defendant Sentenced, Receives 88 Additional Months’ Incarceration in Federal Racketeering Case

United States Attorney Richard S. Hartunian announced today that ELIJAH SIMS, a/k/a “E” and “E-Head,” age 25, of Albany, New York, was sentenced today by United States District Court Judge Gary L. Sharpe to 88 months’ incarceration (SIMS was facing a sentence of 100 months but received 12 months credit for time already served), and five years of supervised release following his release from incarceration. This sentence follows his plea of guilty to a racketeering conspiracy charge as set forth in count one of a federal indictment relating to the criminal activities of the ORIGINAL GANGSTER KILLERS (OGK) or “Downtown” gang, which operated within the City of Albany.

SIMS is the 11th OGK gang members to be sentenced. SIMS previously had admitted that he was an OGK gang member and had conspired with other persons to possess with intent to distribute and distribute crack cocaine within the Northern District of New York. SIMS’ involvement in the narcotics conspiracy involved the possession with intent to distribute and distribution of more than 50 grams of cocaine base (crack cocaine).

This prosecution resulted from a joint investigation conducted by the Office of the United States Attorney for the Northern District of New York; the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Albany Field Division; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives; the Drug Enforcement Administration, Albany District Office; the City of Albany Police Department; the Albany County Sheriff’s Department; the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Department; the New York State Department of Corrections; the New York State Division of Parole; the New York State Police; the United States Marshal, Northern District of New York, Albany Office; the Albany County District Attorney’s Office; the Rensselaer County District Attorney’s Office; the Town of Guilderland Police Department; the Town of Bethlehem Police Department; and the City of Cohoes Police Department.

CONTACT:

William C. Pericak, Deputy Criminal Chief

Carlos A. Moreno, Assistant United States Attorney

(518) 431-0247

OGK Gang Member Sentencing

Tenth OGK Defendant Sentenced, Receives 82 Additional Months’ Incarceration in Federal Racketeering Case

United States Attorney Richard S. Hartunian announced today that KWON LILLARD, a/k/a Killah, age 23, of Albany, New York, was sentenced today by United States District Court Judge Gary L. Sharpe to 82 months’ incarceration (LILLARD was facing a sentence of 100 months but received 18 months credit for time already served), and five years of supervised release following his release from incarceration. This sentence follows his plea of guilty to a racketeering conspiracy charge as set forth in count one of a federal indictment relating to the criminal activities of the ORIGINAL GANGSTER KILLERS (OGK) or “Downtown” gang, which operated within the City of Albany.

LILLARD is the tenth OGK gang members to be sentenced. LILLARD previously had admitted that he was an OGK gang member and had conspired with other persons to possess with intent to distribute and distribute crack cocaine within the Northern District of New York.

LILLARD’s involvement in the narcotics conspiracy involved the possession with intent to distribute and distribution of more than 50 grams of cocaine base (crack cocaine).

This prosecution resulted from a joint investigation conducted by the Office of the United States Attorney for the Northern District of New York; the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Albany Field Division; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives; the Drug Enforcement Administration, Albany District Office; the City of Albany Police Department; the Albany County Sheriff’s Department; the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Department; the New York State Department of Corrections; the New York State Division of Parole; the New York State Police; the United States Marshal, Northern District of New York, Albany Office; the Albany County District Attorney’s Office; the Rensselaer County District Attorney’s Office; the Town of Guilderland Police Department; the Town of Bethlehem Police Department; and the City of Cohoes Police Department.

CONTACT:

William C. Pericak, Deputy Criminal Chief

Carlos A. Moreno, Assistant United States Attorney

(518) 431-0247

OGK Gang Member Sentencing

Seventh OGK Defendant Sentenced, Receives 85 Months Additional Incarceration in Federal Racketeering Case

United States Attorney Richard S. Hartunian announced today that WINFIELD NICHOLSON, a/k/a Champ and Bamp, age 20, of Albany, New York, was sentenced today by United States District Court Judge Gary L. Sharpe to 85 months incarceration (NICHOLSON was facing a sentence of 97 months but received 12 months credit for time already served), and 5 years of supervised release following his release from incarceration. This sentence follows NICHOLSON’S plea of guilty to a racketeering conspiracy charge as set forth in Count 1 of a federal indictment relating to the criminal activities of the ORIGINAL GANGSTER KILLERS (OGK) or “Downtown” gang, which operated within the City of Albany.

NICHOLSON is the seventh OGK gang member to be sentenced. NICHOLSON previously had admitted that he was an OGK gang member and conspired with other persons to possess with intent to distribute and distribute crack cocaine within the Northern District of New York. NICHOLSON’S involvement in the narcotics conspiracy involved the possession with intent to distribute and distribution of more than 50 grams of cocaine base (crack cocaine). NICHOLSON previously also admitted to participating with other gang members in acts of violence and to possessing a firearm.

This prosecution resulted from a joint investigation conducted by the Office of the United States Attorney for the Northern District of New York; the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Albany Field Division; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives; the Drug Enforcement Administration, Albany District Office; the City of Albany Police Department; the Albany County Sheriff’s Department; the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Department; the New York State Department of Corrections; the New York State Division of Parole; the New York State Police; the United States Marshal, Northern District of New York, Albany Office; the Albany County District Attorney’s Office; the Rensselaer County District Attorney’s Office; the Town of Guilderland Police Department; the Town of Bethlehem Police Department; and the City of Cohoes Police Department.

CONTACT: William C. Pericak, Deputy Criminal Chief Carlos A. Moreno, Assistant United States Attorney (518) 431-0247

OGK Gang Member Sentenced

Fifth OGK Defendant Sentenced, Receives 96 Months’ Additional Incarceration in Federal Racketeering Case

United States Attorney Richard S. Hartunian announced today that ELIJAH CANCER, a/k/a Sleeze and Sleezy, age 24, of Albany, New York, was sentenced today by United States District Court Judge Gary L. Sharpe to 96 months’ incarceration (CANCER was facing a sentence of 100 months but received four months credit for time already served), and five years of supervised release following his release from incarceration. This sentence follows CANCER’s plea of guilty to a racketeering conspiracy charge as set forth in count one of a federal indictment relating to the criminal activities of the ORIGINAL GANGSTER KILLERS (OGK) or “Downtown” gang, which operated within the City of Albany.

CANCER is the fifth OGK gang member to be sentenced. CANCER previously had admitted that he was an OGK gang member and conspired with other persons to possess with intent to distribute and distribute crack cocaine within the Northern District of New York. CANCER’s involvement in the narcotics conspiracy involved the possession with intent to distribute and distribution of more than 50 grams of cocaine base (crack cocaine).

This prosecution resulted from a joint investigation conducted by the Office of the United States Attorney for the Northern District of New York; the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Albany Field Division; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives; the Drug Enforcement Administration, Albany District Office; the City of Albany Police Department; the Albany County Sheriff’s Department; the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Department; the New York State Department of Corrections; the New York State Division of Parole; the New York State Police; the United States Marshal, Northern District of New York, Albany Office; the Albany County District Attorney’s Office; the Rensselaer County District Attorney’s Office; the Town of Guilderland Police Department; the Town of Bethlehem Police Department; and the City of Cohoes Police Department.

CONTACT:

William C. Pericak, Deputy Criminal Chief

Carlos A. Moreno, Assistant United States Attorney

(518) 431-0247

OGK Gang Member Sentenced

Fifth OGK Defendant Sentenced, Receives 96 Months’ Additional Incarceration in Federal Racketeering Case

United States Attorney Richard S. Hartunian announced today that ELIJAH CANCER, a/k/a Sleeze and Sleezy, age 24, of Albany, New York, was sentenced today by United States District Court Judge Gary L. Sharpe to 96 months’ incarceration (CANCER was facing a sentence of 100 months but received four months credit for time already served), and five years of supervised release following his release from incarceration. This sentence follows CANCER’s plea of guilty to a racketeering conspiracy charge as set forth in count one of a federal indictment relating to the criminal activities of the ORIGINAL GANGSTER KILLERS (OGK) or “Downtown” gang, which operated within the City of Albany.

CANCER is the fifth OGK gang member to be sentenced. CANCER previously had admitted that he was an OGK gang member and conspired with other persons to possess with intent to distribute and distribute crack cocaine within the Northern District of New York. CANCER’s involvement in the narcotics conspiracy involved the possession with intent to distribute and distribution of more than 50 grams of cocaine base (crack cocaine).

This prosecution resulted from a joint investigation conducted by the Office of the United States Attorney for the Northern District of New York; the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Albany Field Division; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives; the Drug Enforcement Administration, Albany District Office; the City of Albany Police Department; the Albany County Sheriff’s Department; the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Department; the New York State Department of Corrections; the New York State Division of Parole; the New York State Police; the United States Marshal, Northern District of New York, Albany Office; the Albany County District Attorney’s Office; the Rensselaer County District Attorney’s Office; the Town of Guilderland Police Department; the Town of Bethlehem Police Department; and the City of Cohoes Police Department.

CONTACT:

William C. Pericak, Deputy Criminal Chief

Carlos A. Moreno, Assistant United States Attorney

(518) 431-0247

Original Gangster Killers Gang Member Sentenced

United States Attorney Richard S. Hartunian announced today that MARCEL PERRY, a/k/a Juxx, a/k/a Jooks, age 23, of Albany, New York, was sentenced today by United States District Court Judge Gary L. Sharpe to 111 months’ incarceration (PERRY was facing a sentence of 130 months but received 19 months credit for time already served), five years of supervised release following his release from incarceration, and a $100 special assessment. This sentence follows PERRY’s plea of guilty to a racketeering conspiracy charge as set forth in count one of a federal indictment relating to the criminal activities of the ORIGINAL GANGSTER KILLERS (OGK) or “Downtown” gang, which operated within the City of Albany.

PERRY is the second OGK gang member to be sentenced. PERRY previously had admitted that he was an OGK gang member and conspired with other persons to possess with intent to distribute and distribute cocaine base (crack cocaine) within the Northern District of New York. PERRY’s involvement in the narcotics conspiracy involved the possession with intent to distribute and distribution of more than 50 grams of cocaine base (crack cocaine). PERRY also previously had admitted that on or about November 5, 2003, in the vicinity of Teunis Street, Albany, New York, he possessed for sale a quantity of imitation crack cocaine; and on or about July 28, 2004, in the vicinity of Third Avenue and Clinton Street, Albany, New York, he distributed a quantity of crack cocaine to another individual. PERRY also previously had admitted that he had participated with other gang members in acts of violence. Specifically, on or about March 25, 2007, in the vicinity of Delaware Street, Albany, New York, PERRY possessed a firearm and was present with a co-conspirator when another OGK gang member discharged PERRY’s firearm at another person and wounded him.

This prosecution resulted from a joint investigation conducted by the Office of the United States Attorney for the Northern District of New York; the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Albany Field Division; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the Drug Enforcement Administration, Albany District Office; the City of Albany Police Department; the Albany County Sheriff’s Department; the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Department; the New York State Department of Corrections; the New York State Division of Parole; the New York State Police; the United States Marshal, Northern District of New York, Albany Office; the Albany County District Attorney’s Office; the Rensselaer County District Attorney’s Office; the Town of Guilderland Police Department; the Town of Bethlehem Police Department; and the City of Cohoes Police Department.

CONTACT:

William C. Pericak

Deputy Criminal Chief

Carlos A. Moreno

Assistant United States Attorney

(518) 431-0247