Latin ‘Queen Dream’ Pleads Guilty in RICO Case

A former member of the Latin Kings in the Massachusetts Department of Correction Chapter pleaded guilty this week to racketeering charges.

Sandra Correa, or “Queen Dream,” 35, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to conduct enterprise affairs through a pattern of racketeering activity, or RICO conspiracy. A sentencing date will be scheduled at a later time, according to a media release from the office of U.S. Attorney Andrew E. Lelling.

Federal prosecutors say the Latin Kings bring disputes and related gang violence into jails and prisons. As a top member responsible for activities behind bars, Correa transmitted information to and from incarcerated gang members on behalf of the organization. This information included identities of victims targeted for violence in the jails and prisons, the locations of incarcerated members, the standing of certain individuals with the gang, and the status of disputes and alliances with other gangs, Lelling's office said.

The Latin Kings are a violent criminal enterprise comprised of thousands of members across the United States. The Latin Kings adhere to a national manifesto, employ an internal judiciary and use a sophisticated system of communication to maintain the hierarchy of the organization. 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, Lelling's office said.

In December 2019, a federal grand jury returned its "Operation Throne Down" indictment alleging racketeering conspiracy, drug conspiracy and firearms charges against 62 leaders, members and associates of the Latin Kings. Correa is the 28th defendant to plead guilty in the case.

The RICO conspiracy charge provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Commissioner Carol Mici of the Massachusetts Department of Correction; and New Bedford Police Chief Joseph C. Cordeiro made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was also provided by the FBI North Shore Gang Task Force and the Bristol County and Suffolk County District Attorney’s Offices. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Philip A. Mallard and Lauren Graber of Lelling’s Criminal Division are prosecuting the case.

The case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation, Lelling's office said. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach.