Former Latin King Gang Leader Sentenced To 28 Years In Prison
By Tony Hanson
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A former Latin King gang leader from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, who once traveled with other gang members to slaughter a rival gang in Vineland, New Jersey, was sentenced to 28 years in prison on Wednesday.
The defendant, 28-year-old Luis Colon, known as "King Respect," pleaded guilty in federal court in July.
Prosecutor John Gallagher says Colon conspired to deal drugs and commit murder.
According to Gallagher, in March of 2004, Colon and others armed with guns and bulletproof vests were after a rival gang, but authorities got a tip and made arrests.
"This was a plan that was not aspirational, it was operational," says Gallagher. "It was underway when law enforcement came in and, not to be too dramatic, but in the nick of time and prevented what would have been a massacre in Vineland, New Jersey."
Gallagher says the planned murder of another man, a suspected cooperator, was also thwarted by authorities.
He says dozens of people were charged in this case, and all pleaded guilty.
