New Bedford Latin Kings Enforcer Pleads Guilty

A key player in the New Bedford Chapter of the Latin Kings street gang has pleaded guilty in federal court to drug charges.

The U.S. Attorney's Office says 33-year old Jeremia Medina, also known as "King Sweepy," pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to distribute, manufacture and possess with intent to distribute cocaine base.

Federal District Court Judge Rya Zobel scheduled sentencing for June 17, 2021.

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According to prosecutors, Medina admitted to being an enforcer for the Latin Kings and was a leader in the New Bedford chapter, charged with organizing violent acts and administering violence.

Medina also admitted to operating a vast drug trafficking network throughout New Bedford, using multi-unit apartments controlled by the Latin Kings known as "trap houses."

At a plea hearing on Thursday, prosecutors introduced evidence of a phone recording where Medina is depicted in a trap house, in front of a stove, preparing to "cook" a suspected kilogram of cocaine powder into crack cocaine, also known as cocaine base.

In December 2019, Medina was one of  62 Latin King leaders, members, and associates indicted by a federal grand jury. He is the 40th defendant to plead guilty. If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison plus fines of up to $1 million.