New Bedford Latin Kings Enforcer Sentenced to Prison

BOSTON (WBSM) – A former enforcer for the New Bedford chapter of the Latin Kings has been sentenced to prison for racketeering conspiracy.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Orlando Santiago-Torres, 27 – also known as “King Landy” – was sentenced to 151 months in prison and three years of supervised release.

Santiago-Torres pleaded guilty in June 2022 to “conduct enterprise affairs through a pattern of racketeering activity, more commonly referred to as RICO conspiracy, and conspiracy to manufacture and distribute controlled substances,” according to the U.S. Attorney.

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The U.S. Attorney says that as enforcer, Santiago-Torres “was responsible for organizing violence against rival gang members and instilling discipline among Latin Kings members in the commission of violence,” and also organized the “trap houses” from which gang members distributed cocaine and cocaine base.

Santiago-Torres also had a history of shootings and violence in New Bedford on behalf of the Latin Kings, according to the U.S. Attorney, including:

• In February 2019, he assaulted a rival gang member, and was captured on video chasing him down, pushing him to the ground, and kicking him.
• In May 2019, he participated in the assault and shooting of a rival gang member, also captured on video.
• In July 2019, he fired multiple rounds of ammunition on a New Bedford street at rival gang members as they fled a fight with the Latin Kings.
• In September 2019, he participated in a shooting with other Latin Kings members in which a victim was struck with gunfire, and casings from the scene were linked to a firearm recovered from Santiago-Torres’ apartment.
• In November 2019, he and other Latin Kings members assaulted a rival gang member, as Santiago-Torres dragged the victim out of a vehicle to beat and kick him on the street.

Santiago-Torres was arrested in December 2019 as part of “Operation Throne Down,” in which a federal grand jury indicted 62 Latin Kings and Queens and associates on racketeering conspiracy, drug conspiracy and firearms charges.

He pleaded guilty in June 2022. In total, 60 defendants in the case have pleaded guilty.

Santiago-Torres is the 59th defendant to be sentenced, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.