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2 members of Latin Kings convicted in northwestern Indiana

Posted May 30, 2018 7:00 am

The Associated Press

HAMMOND, Ind. (AP) - Two members of the Latin Kings gang in northwestern Indiana have been convicted of federal racketeering and drugs charges linked to the slaying of a 15-year-old boy.

U.S. Attorney Thomas L. Kirsch II announced Wednesday that a jury found 28-year-old Darrick Vallodolid of Hobart and 44-year-old Robert Nieto of Gary guilty following an 11-day jury trial in Hammond. The charges they were convicted of Tuesday include conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and marijuana.

Kirsch says Vallodolid fatally shot 15-year-old Victor Lusinski of Lansing, Illinois, in Hammond in April 2009 because he believed the youth to be a rival gang member.

The prosecutor says about 43 defendants have been charged with racketeering conspiracy as members of the Chicago-based Latin Kings from 2003 until November 2017.

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