Charges Added To The Latin King Street Gang

HAMMOND – United States Attorney Thomas L. Kirsch II announced federal racketeering and drug conspiracy charges against 6 members of the Latin Kings, a criminal enterprise operating in Chicago and Northwest Indiana.  Named in today’s two-count superseding indictment are:

Jeremiah Shane Farmer, 37, of Hammond, IN

Sean Michael Pena a/k/a “Big Body,” 36, of Hammond, IN

David Ulmenstine a/k/a “Silent,” 27, of Harvey, IL

Miguel Angel Marines a/k/a “Egg,” 24, of East Chicago, IN

Reynaldo Robles a/k/a “Sneaky,” 27, of Lake Station, IN

Mark Anthony Toney a/k/a “Slim,” 39, of Lake Village, IN

This fifth superseding indictment alleges a conspiracy to commit racketeering activity by the Latin Kings street gang and a conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine, marijuana, and alprazolam (Xanax), with the conspiracies stretching back to 1999.  Today’s superseding indictment charges for the first time that in 1999, in furtherance of the Latin Kings racketeering conspiracy, Farmer committed a double homicide during a robbery of a local Hammond, Indiana business.  In total, 50 members or associates of the Latin Kings street gang have been charged in Northern District of Indiana as part of this case.  

U.S. Attorney Kirsch said, “This indictment should send a strong message to those engaged in gang and other violent crime.  We will focus all of our law enforcement efforts on reducing violent crime in my District.” 

The United States Attorney's Office emphasized that an indictment is merely an allegation and that all persons charged are presumed innocent until, and unless, proven guilty in court.

If convicted in court, any specific sentence to be imposed will be determined by the judge after a consideration of federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

This case is the result of the investigative efforts of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Chicago Police Department, the East Chicago Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Gary Police Department, the Hammond Police Department, the Lake County, Indiana, Sheriff’s Department and Lake County High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area officers and agents.  The Northern District of Illinois United States Attorney’s Office and the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office also has provided assistance.  The Latin King case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys David J. Nozick, Nicholas J. Padilla and Joseph Cooley of the Northern District of Indiana. 

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