By Natasha Korecki
Chicago Sun-Times
CHICAGO — In a continued offensive aimed at dismantling one of the most powerful and violent street gangs in Chicago, federal authorities said Thursday they decapitated the “Corona” of the Latin Kings.
Authorities charged Augustin Zambrano, who they say is the highest-ranking leader of the Latin Kings outside of prison, in a wide-ranging racketeering conspiracy.
Zambrano is accused of overseeing everything from drug trafficking to murder. They also charged 14 other alleged leaders of the 26th Street Region of the Latin Kings.
Zambrano, 49, also known as “Big Tino,” “Old Man” and “Viejo,” was arrested Monday night and is scheduled to be in court this morning.
He and 17 others were charged in a 48-count superseding indictment returned by a federal grand jury Wednesday. Twelve of the 17 had been previously charged.
“Organizations are more dangerous than the individuals that make up the organization,” First Assistant U.S. Attorney Gary Shapiro said of a continued effort by the feds to topple gangs.
“We’re hoping to disrupt the organization. We’re also hoping to take the leaders, who have the authority and the influence, and take that out of circulation.”
The new charges accuse the gang leaders of extorting a “street tax” from those who sold bogus immigration documents in Little Village.
The gang members allegedly would threaten “miqueros” -- people who sold the illegal immigration documents -- with violence or actually rough them up if they wouldn’t hand over a cut of their earnings from the illegal ring.
The ATF, FBI and Immigration and Customs Enforcement merged their ongoing investigations against the Latin Kings to bring the latest charges; 80 alleged gang members have been charged in the last three years.
In 2006, an ATF investigation brought charges against 38 Latin Kings members and associates. Last year, the FBI led a probe that brought charges against another 40 individuals.
About 50 of the 60 gang members who were charged federally have been convicted, according to the U.S. attorney’s office.
A conviction on racketeering alone could mean 20 years in prison.
Copyright 2009 Chicago Sun-Times