A founder of Latin Kings gets a 28-year term

A 28-year-old Allentown man described as a founding member of the Latin Kings gang was sentenced to 28 years in federal prison Wednesday for his part in running a violent drug ring.

Luis Colon, founder of the Latin Kings' "Bethlehem Sun Tribe," pleaded guilty July 9 to racketeering conspiracy and related offenses. Federal prosecutors said the gang also kidnapped, assaulted, and killed its own members for violating tribe rules. Colon was among two dozen gang members charged in 2010.

Among the crimes attributed to Colon was a plot to kill New Jersey Latin Kings members. The U.S. Attorney's Office said that on March 17, 2004, Colon and five codefendants traveled to Vineland on the orders of the gang's Philadelphia chapter to assist in the massacre of the New Jersey gang members. But the plot was thwarted when law enforcement raided the gathering location, and arrested Colon and other gang members.

U.S. District Judge Joel H. Slomsky imposed the sentence on Colon in Allentown. - Staff report