Police arrest 11 members of the Latin Kings gang

Anthony M. Destefano:

FBI agents and city police charged 11 reputed members of the Latin Kings Wednesday, including the man said to be the highest ranking member of the gang in New York State.

Isaac Almanzar, 31, of Brooklyn was arrested with several associates on charges they distributed crack cocaine in Bushwick. Officials said that Almanzar, known as "Lucky," was recently promoted to the position of "First Crown of The Supreme Team," the management committee of the Latin Kings.

Almanzar used his position to oversee drug distribution by a number of his co-defendants around 179 Jefferson St., 46 Irving Ave. and 81 Central Ave. in Brooklyn, officials said.

In addition to an indictment, criminal complaints also were filed against three suspects. One complaint accused Robert Fuentes, 36, and David Soto, 28, both of Brooklyn, with conspiring to rob another Latin King member of $4,700 in cash. Another complaint charged Bradley John Gonzalez, 31, of Brooklyn, with credit card fraud.

Almanzar and some of the other defendants appeared defiant as they were walked out of FBI headquarters in lower Manhattan for their court appearances in Brooklyn.

"Black and gold forever!" one of the defendants yelled to reporters, referring to the colors of the Latin Kings.

At his arraignment in federal court in Brooklyn Almanzar pleaded not guilty and made the almost unheard-of request that Magistrate-Judge Kiko Matsumoto read him the indictment. Defendants routinely waive reading of such documents but Almanzar wanted to hear the charges. Luckily the indictment was only two pages long. Defense attorney Daniel Nobel declined comment later.

Almanzar was ordered held without bail. David Soto also entered a not guilty plea. The arraignments of the other defendants were pending late Wednesday.

One suspect, Miguel Soto, 24, of Brooklyn, was listed as a fugitive, prosecutors said.

As part of the investigation FBI agents said they executed search warrants at four Brooklyn addresses and seized more than $20,000 in cash, two firearms, bogus credit cards and amounts of crack cocaine and marijuana packaged for resale.

Break-in suspect is a member of the Latin Kings, say police