New charges against Latin Kings in Indiana

HAMMOND, Ind., Oct. 26 (UPI) -- Federal authorities in Indiana said Tuesday they've expanded the racketeering conspiracy charges against members of a gang suspected in 15 slayings.

A superseding indictment, handed up Friday and unsealed Monday in Hammond, charges Martin Anaya, 40, of Chicago with conspiracy to engage in a racketeering activity, murder, and using and carrying a firearm to commit murder, the U.S. Justice Department said in a release.

Anaya allegedly is a member of the Almighty Latin Kings gang.

Reputed gang members Alexander Vargas, 33, of Highland, Ind.; Sisto Bernal, 44, of Chicago; Jason Ortiz, 27, of Chicago; and Brandon Clay, 23, of Chicago were charged in the earlier indictment.

The new indictment adds murder charges against Vargas, Ortiz and Clay.

The indictment alleges members of the southeast region of the Latin Kings are responsible for at least 15 murders, including the slayings of rival gang members James Walsh and Gonzalo Diaz outside a bar in Griffith, Ind., in the early morning of Feb. 25, 2007; the killing of Christiana Campos on April 22, 2009; and the murder of Edward Delatorre on Nov. 26, 2006.

Federal authorities also allege the Latin Kings, a nationwide gang that got its start in Chicago, distributed more than 150 kilograms of cocaine and 1,000 kilograms of marijuana.

Anaya was brought before a federal magistrate Monday and the other defendants are to be arraigned Nov. 2.