New Bedford Latin Kings Members Fall in Federal Court
Two former members of the New Bedford Latin Kings appeared in Massachusetts federal court this week. One pleaded guilty to RICO charges, and another was sentenced to prison.
Roberto Vargas and Shelton Johnson were among the 62 defendants indicted in the massive December 2019 federal law enforcement raid known as Operation Throne Down. Vargas is the 35th defendant in that case to plead guilty.
Vargas, 27, known as “King Royalty,” admitted to conducting enterprise affairs through a pattern of racketeering activity, commonly referred to as RICO conspiracy, and conspiracy to distribute, manufacture and possess with intent to distribute cocaine base.