BAIL DENIED, LATIN KINGS SENT BACK TO JAIL

His tattooed arms handcuffed behind him, Raymond "King Rey" Mendoza
shuffled out of a federal courtroom Thursday and off to jail -- denied bail
along with 20 other members of the Latin Kings who were swept up in a major
racketeering probe of the notorious south side gang.

Federal prosecutors, citing a long list of murders, murder attempts,
robberies and drug trafficking charged to the gang, asked that all 21 Latin
Kings appearing in court be held without bail as a danger to the community
and because of a risk of fleeing.

Prosecutors on Thursday also asked the court to order gang members to
submit to photographs of tattoos and other distinguishing body markings, a
request defense attorneys are expected to oppose.

One of Mendoza's tattoos was readily visible Thursday: a pair of hands held
in prayer stenciled in blue ink on his right bicep, catching the eyes of
many observers in the courtroom as U.S. marshals led him away.

Karine Moreno-Taxman, the lead prosecutor in the case, told the court
Mendoza also has the tattoo "ALKN" -- Almighty Latin King Nation -- on his
leg and faces racketeering charges that include the attempted murders of
two men he suspected were cooperating with police and the intimidation of
witnesses.

At age 27, Mendoza, an ex-Marine, was one of the older gang members in
court Tuesday, a point noted by U.S. Magistrate Judge Aaron Goodstein. He
said most of the Latin Kings defendants were in their early 20s.

Security was tight as dozens of girlfriends, wives, friends and family
members crowded Goodstein's small courtroom for a glimpse of the
defendants, all in custody since Monday, when a task force of more than 200
law enforcement officers swept through the south side, arresting alleged
gang members.

"I love you, Jorge," one young woman called out as a group of four Latin
Kings were taken out of the courtroom back to jail. "Your kids love you,"
added another voice.

Prosecutor Chris Larsen also argued for the detention of Michael Rosado.
Known as "Boo Boo," Rosado was described as a veteran member of the Latin
Kings with a long history of drug dealing and an extensive record,
including arrests for recklessly endangering safety, robbery and party to a
robbery.

Larsen said police found 1,200 grams of marijuana in Rosado's home during a
search and said Rosado has the tattoo "LK" -- Latin Kings -- on his left
forearm.

Also among those ordered detained was Wilfredo "Pito" Vasquez, in whose
house prosecutors said police found a 9mm pistol linked to three shootings.
Special prosecutor David Robles told Goodstein that Vasquez has been
identified as "the shooter" in an attempted murder -- the 1995 shooting of
a "2-1" gang member -- and was directly involved in the murder of Daryl
Davis, shot in the head and chest in September 1996. Robles said Vasquez
also was an admitted leader of the Junior Latin Kings -- younger gang
members -- and directed other members in gang activities.

Federal authorities indicted 33 Latin Kings Monday on charges that include
nine murders, 21 attempted murders, nine robberies, three arsons, five
kidnappings and an ongoing drug trafficking conspiracy.

Checked-by: (Joel W. Johnson)