Jury convicts Chicago street-gang leader

A jury convicted the alleged top leader of the Chicago-based Latin Kings street gang on Wednesday in a drug-selling operation that the federal government said used murder and other violence to protect its turf — a decision prosecutors hailed as a major blow to one of the nation's most powerful gangs.

Augustin Zambrano, 51, showed little emotion as a jury foreman faced him across the courtroom in U.S. District Court in Chicago and read guilty verdicts on all counts — racketeering conspiracy, conspiracy to commit extortion and assault with a dangerous weapon.

Prosecutors who presented the government's case at the six-week trial said the conviction of Zambrano and three co-defendants should send a message to anyone thinking about trying to fill their shoes in the gang leadership.

"If people try to fill the void," prosecutor Tinos Diamantatos told reporters after the verdict, "we will look to take them out, too."

The case is part of a concerted push over several years by prosecutors to cripple Chicago gangs, which include the Gangster Disciples, the Vice Lords and others. The Chicago Crime Commission, a non-government group, estimates there are up to 20 well-organized Chicago gangs.

The Latin Kings gang is considered one of the largest, with an estimated 10,000 members in Illinois — most of them in Chicago, prosecutors say.

Zambrano and his co-defendants were among a total of around 30 suspects indicted in 2008 or charged in a superseding indictment a year later; 24 of those have pleaded guilty, four were convicted at trial, and three remain still at large, according to prosecutors.

Zambrano was the biggest catch of them all, according to prosecutors.

Also known as "Big Tino" and "Old Man," Zambrano is the highest-ranking leader nationwide of the Almighty Latin King Nation, prosecutors say, and he oversaw many of its criminal activities. Now, he could go to prison for up to 60 years. Sentencing is set for Aug. 23.

Prosecutors presented some disturbing evidence at the trial, including a video showing about a dozen Latin Kings members beating and kicking a fellow gang member for several minutes as punishment. When some of the young men involved appeared to ease up, one leader scolded them and told them to keep up the attack.

Defense attorneys questioned the reliability of testimony from people who admitted participating in crimes. After the verdict, they asked for 60 days to file post-trial motions but did not immediately say in court whether they planned to appeal. Zambrano's defense attorney did not immediately return a call seeking comment late Wednesday.

There was other testimony about 20 shootings in Chicago's Little Village neighborhood, where the gang is centered, including at least one shooting where someone was killed.

Three others were convicted of similar charges with Zambrano.