North Shore Latin Kings Member Pleads Guilty To Selling Cocaine

BOSTON, MA —A member of the North Shore Chapter of the Massachusetts Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation referred to as "King Kiko" became the 24th defendant in the federal case to plead guilty to drug distribution charges on Wednesday.

The United States Attorney's Office said Jesus Diaz, 37, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine and admitted to selling a cooperating witness more than 70 grams of the drug in a series of audio/video recorded sales that took place between January and March of 2015.

Diaz was charged in 2019 when he was in custody for another crime. His sentencing is scheduled for March 24, 2021.

"The Latin Kings are a violent criminal enterprise comprised of thousands of members across the United States," the U.S. Attorney's Office said. "As alleged in court documents, the gang uses drug distribution to generate revenue, and engages in violence against witnesses and rival gangs to further its influence and to protect its turf."

Last December, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging racketeering conspiracy, drug conspiracy and firearms charges against 62 leaders, members and associates of the Latin Kings.

The charges can bring a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a minimum of three years and up to life of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million.

(The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.)

More Patch Coverage: Probe Targeting Latin Kings Was Biggest In FBI Boston's History