Three Dozen Latin Kings Swept Up In Array Of Federal Charges

CHICAGO (CBS) - Nearly three dozen alleged members of the Latin King street gang are now accused of murder, arson, assault and extortion, among other crimes, federal officials announced Tuesday

One gang member is also accused of trying to kill a Melrose Park police officer in July 2014.

U.S. Attorney Zachary Fardon, FBI Chicago Special Agent in Charge Michael Anderson, and Chicago Police Supt. announced the charges.

Fardon has previously pointed to Chicago street violence as a priority for his office.

Two indictments focus on the Latin Kings' dealings on the Southeast Side and in the western suburbs of Maywood and Melrose Park, known as "M-Town."

Several of those charged began making initial appearances in federal court this week.

One indictment charges three of the Latin Kings' alleged "regional enforcers" on the Southeast Side: Raul Cavillo, 33; Joel Nunez, 39; and Carlos Padilla Jr., 35, all of Chicago.

Another indictment centers on the so-called "M-Town" area, with charges against gange leaders Piere Paolo Gennell, 30, of Melrose Park; Jose F. Hernandez, 45, of Maywood, and David Perez, 26, of Melrose Park.

Edgar Velarde-Saldana, 33, of Maywood, a so-called "soldier" in M-Town, is charged with trying to kill a Melrose Park police officer on July 6, 2014. The officer was assisting the FBI.

"We are grateful to the FBI and other law enforcement agencies for their hard work in conducting this investigation and making these arrests and we are pleased to have been able to lend Melrose Park Police officers to assist," said Melrose Park Mayor Ron Serpico.

"We look forward to those individuals who are charged being brought to trial and to justice being served."

Meanwhile, the feds in Northwest Indiana also indicted several alleged gang members on Tuesday.

United States Attorney David Capp announced federal racketeering charges against nine additional members of the Latin Kings:

Reynaldo Robles a/k/a "Sneaky," 24, of Portage;
Nicholas Baez a/k/a "Cali," 22, of Whiting;
Antonio Gamino a/k/a "Stacks," 19, of Griffith;
Efren DelAngel a/k/a "Payoso," 21, of Hammond;
Mark Anthony Toney a/k/a "Slim," 37, of Lake Village;
William Dennis Salazar, 40, of Hammond;
Darrick Vallodolid, 27, of Hobart;
Robert Nieto a/k/a "Cowboy," 42, of Gary;
Peter Salinas a/k/a "Pudge," 30, of Hammond

These 9 individuals were added to the existing Latin King indictment pending in the Northern District of Indiana that had previously charged 17 members or associates of the Latin Kings. Each of the persons named today are charged with a conspiracy to participate in racketeering activity and with a conspiracy to distribute narcotics.

Today's indictment also details two previously uncharged murders.

On July 18, 2011, Travis Nash was shot and killed in Hammond. The indictment alleges that Reynaldo Robles, acting at the direction of Aldon Perez (indicted previously), shot and killed Nash, believing him to be a rival gang member.

The indictment also alleges that on August 14, 2014, Keith Trevor Manuel and Joseph Uvalle (both indicted previously) demanded that members of the Latin Kings take action against Estrella's Bar in Hammond, as the owner of Estrella's Bar was allowing rival gang members to patronize the bar.

It is alleged that Uvalle drove Nicholas Baez and Antonio Gamino to the bar and handed Baez a firearm. Baez shot into the bar, striking and killing Raudel Contreras, while Gamino served as a lookout.