The purported head of Rhode Island’s Latin Kings branch will remain behind bars, a federal judge ruled Friday, as the cases against more than 60 alleged gang members move forward.
Chief Magistrate Judge David Hennessy ruled that Eric Thomas, also known as “King E,” is dangerous enough that he’ll stay locked up while the case against him advances, saying that even though the charges against Thomas in the recent big gang bust aren’t as severe as those of some of his alleged cohorts, he’s generally a dangerous enough man that they’re not taking any chances.
“The defendant would pose a very significant danger to the community,” Hennessy said in federal court in Boston on Friday.
He said the gang, of which Thomas is the suspected Rhode Island “Inca,” or local leader, has been tied to “scores of incidents of violence.”
“The Latin Kings is an organization that is built on violence,” Hennessy said.
Thomas appeared antsy throughout Friday afternoon’s hearing, muttering, clearing his throat and twisting in his seat to crack his back in his beige jail getup. But this is far from the first time he’s been up on charges, prosecutors told Hennessy in their successful argument for holding Thomas.
He began his long career in lawlessness at age 18 with an assault in 1992, and was convicted a few years later on racketeering charges relating to an attempted murder. As part of the 62-person gang bust last week, he’s charged with conspiracy to deal drugs.
The dozens of alleged members of the Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation are facing federal charges after sweeps netted gang leaders including Michael Cecchetelli, the alleged regional overseer of East Coast operations.
Other suspected Latin Kings were also hauled into court Friday. Marlon Rivera, who the feds say has been operating in Fitchburg, made his initial appearance and was held pending a detention hearing Wednesday.
Emanuel Lopez-Velez, a suspected “probationary member” of the gang called “King Manny,” and Gregory Peguero-Colon, “King Trece” of Springfield — both up on serious racketeering charges — agreed to be held as their cases move forward, according to court records.
Alleged gangsters Matthew Palacios, Robert Lara, Tanairy Ruiz, Dairon Rivera, plus suspected North Shore boss Israel Rodriguez and suspected gang associate Derek Southworth all were in court Friday for detention hearings, but records show their hearings were continued on to Monday, when their lawyers will make a closing argument about why they shouldn’t continue to be held.
