In the inside-out, outright-bizarre world of Illinois prisons, Gino Colon is a model prisoner. Touch device users, explore by touch or with swipe gestures . Wherever there is one gang, there is always another who is it is at war with. In the mid-1970s, the Latin Disciples formed an alliance with the Latin Eagles, Spanish Cobras, and Imperial Gangsters street gangs; this alliance was called the United Latino Organization. Prince Fernie ran the gang from inside prison for over a decade. The gang is a "Folks" gang, and uses therefore the six-pointed star in some of its graffiti, but almost always accentuated with its unique trademark of "Devil" images. "He controlled two cells: one where he lived and one where he kept all his supplies, like canned goods, meats, and bread.". By the mid-1990s the MLDs were one of the largest and most organized gangs in the city. Later, they would open up shop on Potomac & Rockwell, a set that would be dubbed Twilight Zone. All of it, he said, was . Albert King Hitler Hernandez was killed at 18 years old in 1972 by two Latin Kings after asking them to remove their gang colors while walking through Latin Disciples turf. You wanna be a punk gang member or do you wanna be a gangster? The street-level distribution of powdered cocaine, heroin, marijuana, and PCP is a primary source of income for the gang. In 1983, Zayas was incarcerated on murder charges. "If anything was missing out of someone's cell, it would have been on me," said Ellis, 37, who was serving time for burglary when he got an additional 8 years for having a weapon in prison. They are the leader of the Maniac folks, which includes them, Maniac Campbell Boys, Young Latin Organization Disciples and used to . The Spanish Gangster Disciples is American gang originating in Chicago, Illinois.Their founder is Rudy Rios, and their colors are black and baby blue. Albert "Chino D" Ojeda attempted to become a major drug dealer in the gang during this time, and that sparked a violent battle with, among others, his former gang affiliates, Chicago Police said. Each day, when the cell doors opened, Ellis strapped two or three knives to his chest with a 6-inch wide elastic bandage and took his position on a gallery. This conflict was made famous on the History Channel's tv show Gangland, describing the Maniac Latin Disciple civil war that resulted in the murder their leader, Enrique Prince Rick Dog Garcia, who was sitting in his car when he was ambushed and shot to death. The Tribune regrets the error. Prisoners have been locked in their cells for 23 hours a day, massive sweeps for narcotics and weapons have been conducted and officials are planning to require random drug tests for guards. "He sold me for joints, alcohol, cigarettes, coffee, sometimes for nothing.". Police raids in the early 2000s decimated the rest of the MLD leadership. But it is well within prison rules for Colon and a few others to freely wander. By 1990, murders had hit dizzying heights, with more than 40 shot in Humboldt Park alone. A friend who was killed in 1988 and his crew would chauffeur him around the Humboldt Park area in a van, the wheelchair wedged in the back. It's been found in Iran, Ukraine, Sweden, Bulgaria, Egypt etc etc in Illyrian, Slavic, Germanic, Indo-Iranian, Celtic, African, Middle eastern cultures etc. Last year, nearly 25 percent of the 1,188 maximum-security inmates who were tested for drugs, tested positive. . By 1983, assumed leadership of the gang and the gang began to incorporate the surname "Maniac" when Pete The Burner was thrown out of a courtroom window by the police because he was screaming Maniac every time they added years to his sentence for interrupting the judge. So it goes without, of the week was a Gangster Disciple known as Mexico, shot in his right leg on May 29 when strains flared between similar groups that were going to square off before the store, New Food In. These gangs are the Black Gangster Disciples, the Black Disciples, Gangster Disciples, La Raza, Cobras, Eagles, Latin Disciples, Maniac Latin Disciples, Simon City Royals, Spanish Gangsters, Two Sixers and the International 1480 Words 6 Pages Good Essays Preview And while feuds can fuel some battles, assaults and killings often can be traced to internal gang problems. The untold history of local Latino gangs - Chicago Reader Police raids in the early 2000s decimated the rest of the MLD leadership. Today. Today the gang currently remains large on the Northwest Side, but never regained its previous power. Following the American Psychological Associations Guidelines At the same time, he was able to accumulate an astounding cache of contraband and convenience items in his cell. They were initially known as the Latin Scorpions in 1966 as a neighborhood baseball team in Humboldt Park; because the club was constantly harassed and attacked by resident Caucasian street gangs, such as the Simon City Royals, and Harrison Gents, they began to fight to protect themselves. In 1989 they established one of the most structured gang organizations in Chicago: the Spanish Growth and Development (SGD). In 1995, the Maniac Latin Disciples began to spread their influence into the south side of Chicago, specifically in the GagePark neighborhood, along with several Chicago suburbs. "At times, it reminded me of Maxwell Street," said a Stateville inmate who has been in prison since 1978 and worked as a cell-house chef for the Gangster Disciples. Thank you all for the support!! POWER STRUGGLE BEHIND BARS - Chicago Tribune He survived the attack. Email: jcfitmonster180@gmail.comWebsite: https://www.wrongtostrong.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wrongtostrong/ Youth Gangs in Chicago, Illinois Nevertheless, this Latino group is still considered a threat by police. But how did he get something as large as the portable washer? All rights reserved. When law enforcement has all eyes on you, no one can make any money. They were the first Latino Folks and due to the Latin Disciples joining Folks alliance the Imperial Gangsters, Spanish Cobras and Latin Eagles followed after due to the United Latino Organization alliance they had on the street. ". They provide protection and respect that allows a young person to walk through his or her neighborhood and stay unharmed (Howell, 1998). Hoover, a convicted murderer, currently is awaiting trial in federal court on drug-trafficking charges stemming from his prison years. From then on the Latin Disciples Nation went to war with the Latin Kings. A friend who was killed in 1988 and his crew would chauffeur him around the Humboldt Park area in a van, the wheelchair wedged in the back. Maniac Latin Disciples Origin Purpose Colors and Symbols Chicago 1966 1,500-2,000 members founded by albert "Hitler" Hernandez Humbolt Chicago Drug trafficking assault auto theft carjacking drive-by shooting home invasion homicide money laundering weapons trafficking graffiti. Violence in prison often has some link to gangs, experts say. This conflict was made famous on the History Channel's tv show Gangland, describing the Maniac Latin Disciple civil war that resulted in the murder their leader, Enrique Prince Rick Dog Garcia, who was sitting in his car when he was ambushed and shot to death. The gangs power increased with their domination of the illegal heroin trade during the mid-late 70s. We also met in private locked cubicles in libraries across the city. Pinterest. The curriculum included the history, structure and rules of the Maniac Latin Disciples. Support JC and the Wrong to Strong mission SUBSCRIBE AND CLICK THE BELL ICON The system is fucked up and I am doing my part to help inmates. All of it, he said, was conducted in full view of correctional officers. Jeremiah Cowart, 22, of Taunton and Scott Spera, 26, of Weaverville, N.C., who both allegedly belong to a gang called "Maniac Latin Disciples, were arrested in Easton last Wednesday. Several other leaders filled the void. Albert "Chino D" Ojeda attempted to become a major drug dealer in the gang during this time, and that sparked a violent battle with, among others, his former gang affiliates, Chicago Police said. It also is well within the rules for him to carry around a key to his room. . Chicago, Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, Tennessee, Texas and Florida. Zayas is currently in Tamms maximum security prison. Judge Harold Haley causing law enforcement to open fire. April 10, 2015 The ensemble is completed by a heavy gold chain with a stone-studded medallion hanging from his neck. Their cells have had all the amenities of home: VCRs, portable clothes washers and small electronic digital scales for weighing drugs. Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Appendix B. National-Level Street, Prison, and Outlaw Motorcycle Gang Profiles", List of Chicago criminal organizations and crime bosses, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Maniac_Latin_Disciples&oldid=1140654955, Hispanic and Latino American culture in Chicago, Articles needing additional references from December 2012, All articles needing additional references, Pages using infobox criminal organization with ethnicity or ethnic makeup parameters, Pages using infobox criminal organization with rivals parameter, Articles with unsourced statements from September 2010, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0. Concealing Sals identity was paramount. Crimes Associated With: Narcotic Sales, assaults, weapon sales, and drive-by shootings. GANGBANGER TRIALS HAVE THEIR OWN RULES - Chicago Tribune Congratulations on this excellent venture what a great idea! The gang grew tremendously throughout the 70s, and much of the 80s, gaining enough strength and power to expand throughout most of the state. We had to be careful not to be seen together by anyone from the world of organized crime, gangs, the media, or law enforcement, Hagedorn explained earlier this month in a musty Lakeview home lined with books and potted plants, where academics, students, activists, and onetime major gang chiefs gathered together to celebrate the publication of The Insane Chicago Way. The institution, on this summer day, is nailed down tight, partly because an incident at another prison has heightened tensions. 09 08 07 Gang Members Arrested in Easton | Easton, MA Patch A top-ranking member of the Maniac Latin Disciples street gang was convicted Thursday of orchestrating an ambitious plot to slaughter members of their Northwest Side rivals, the Spanish. In The Insane Chicago Way, criminologist John Hagedorn discovers an intricate tale of violence, mafia influence, and police corruption. With a strict set of rules, dispute-mediating mechanisms, and exclusively Latino membership, SGD was driven by the urgent need to control bloodshed on the streets. Founded by several members of the Maniac Latin Disciples in the 1970s, the Spanish Cobras share the same geography and culture as the larger Disciples. Zayas is currently in Tamms maximum security prison. And it is more a room than a cell, because Colon lives in the Interperimeter Office-- what is known as the honor dorm. Today the gang currently remains large on the Northwest Side, but never regained its previous power. The Latin Disciples were the first Latino gang to join the group. Nearly all of Colon's fellow inmates, some 2,600 of them, are locked in their cells, as they have been for months. In 1976 Division & Avers opened in West Humboldt Park and in 77 the Kedzie & Barry set opened in Logan Square and quickly branched out. Since their beginning in the early 1960's, the MLD's have grown so big, that in 2005, the US Attorney for Illinois, Patrick Fitzgerald, testified before Congress that the Disciples Chicago's second-largest Latin gang, The Maniac Latin Disciples rule the northwest side of Chicago. On Wednesday . Since 1986, 37 inmates have been murdered, most in violence linked to gangs. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. But a couple money making street corners caused problems within the gang itself. He still has the privilege of walking through the prison while other inmates are forced to remain in their cells. A NATION OF FOLKS THAT HAVE BEEN HERE FROM THE START AND WILL BE HERE UNTIL THE END THERE IS NOT A MORE POWERFUL NATION ON THE FACE OF THIS EARTH.THE REASON FOLKS HAVE BEEN AND WILL COTINUE TO RUN THE STREETS IS BECAUSE WE ARE NOT ABOUT JUST BANGING BUT IMPROVING OUR COMMUNITY. Eventually, the Latin Disciples would manage to cover most of the US, from the west to the east coast. All it does is bring the attention of law enforcement. The 90s and The FBI Crackdown on Gang Activities Chicago's second-largest Latin gang, The Maniac Latin Disciples rule the northwest side of Chicago. THROUGH THE YEARS A NATION HAS ROSE ABOVE THE REST. However he has been able to control his gang's day-to-day activity since being incarcerated, though some factions have broken away from his leadership. The judge, a bailiff and one BGF member were killed in the shootout. In 1983, the Latin Disciples officially became the Maniac Latin Disciples. [citationneeded] They turned into a full-fledged gang in 1966. "The gangs have an understanding with each other," said Colon, who has been imprisoned since 1971 for killing a rival gang member and for dealing heroin inside Stateville. Equally important, even the city of Miami is filled with numerous amounts of gangs which some of those gangs are actually just a street away from each other. Sal and Hagedorn met in seedy hotels and dingy restaurants with few customers in places far from the west-side neighborhood known as the Patch, where members of the local Mafia are known to reside. Identifiers include a heart with a devil's tail and horns, a hooded character called the Reaper Monk, swastika, crossed swords facing up, and pitchforks facing up. #WrongtoStrong Wrong to Strong is Non-Profit organization. Maniac Latin Disciples eventually spread to different states such as Wisconsin, Tennessee, Michigan, Ohio, and Texas. Gang symbols and colors But the current lockdown has gone on longer than any other in history, and officials know it ultimately must be eased--or they may face an even more incendiary atmosphere that could endanger guards and prisoners. And with that, arrests followed. Inmate Tony Matos learned the ropes of prison life at Stateville, a state maximum security prison near Joliet. My message to everyone is to never judge people, we never know what people go through and we should be better at embracing others. These gangs are the Black Gangster Disciples, the Black Disciples, Gangster Disciples, La Raza, Cobras, Eagles, Latin Disciples, Maniac Latin Disciples, Simon City Royals, Spanish Gangsters, Two Sixers and the International Constitution and Literature of the Gangster Disciple Street Gang bricks for the down fall of Jeff Ford an the Main 21 "F. The maintenance worker found more than a dozen knives caught in the drainage system. Gang Leader Found Guilty of Ordering Rivals' Killings This caused increased resentment among Latin Kings and Insane Unknown Kings whos territory was getting encroached on. In 1988, Osualdo Morffi-Rodriguez, a non-gang member at Menard, was stabbed six times by a Latin King enforcer after he refused to hide a shank for the gang, according to court records. Then they opened up shop on the infamous drug spot Potomac & Rockwell known as The Twilight Zone. The contraband is then passed along during a kiss, a hug or a handshake. This guy there has got tunnel vision, only sees so far. "We thought they were just being cantankerous," said Cowan. Christian Metz A minimum-security inmate at Pontiac once hid marijuana in his prosthetic leg. "Satan's Disciples" (SD's) have a 25-year history as a predominantly Hispanic gang originating from Chicago. This page was last edited on 21 February 2023, at 03:07, "AppendixB.National-LevelStreet,Prison,andOutlawMotorcycleGangProfiles", ListofChicagocriminalorganizationsandcrimebosses. To understand what top state officials and the Department of Corrections must do to take back the prisons requires an understanding of how entrenched the gangs have become inside the prison system--and how little has been done in recent years to thwart the gangs. Latin Disciples are one of the original gangs in the Folk alliance, alongside the BGDs (Black Gangster Disciples), Simon City Royals, Spanish Cobras, Satans Disciples, Ashland Vikings, Two-Six, and others. Among the initial gangs to join were the Maniac Campbell Boys, Milwaukee Kings and Latin Lovers. Gang members steal paint and decorate cells in violation of prison rules. Maniac Latin Disciples and Latin Scorpions are two separate gangs that were around at the same time. folk nation sets - gangster disciples Urban Dictionary: maniac latin disciple Maniac Latin Disciples racist? : r/Chiraqology - Reddit The structure has been broken., I asked Hagedorn how his book was received by the gangs. Maniac Latin Disciples Gang History - YouTube He asked the Latin Kings to remove their gang colors while walking through Latin Disciple turf and ended in a brawl with the Latin Kings and Hernandez being stabbed. Deals, they say, have not been cut with gang leaders. And, just as gangs often cooperate in procuring and selling drugs, they also work together in finding ways to arm themselves. Explore. Pointing at a cell painted blue, Bowles added, "And that is a Disciple cell.". He was a visitor at the Stateville Correctional Center. [citation needed] They turned into a full-fledged gang in 1966. They divided prison jobs, threatening guards and other employees into assigning their members to work in positions that allowed them to roam the institutions and conduct gang business. They have always played, `Let's Make a Deal' with him.". University of Chicago Press edition 1991 As part of a subsequent plea arrangement, Wilson gave investigators the names of several officers who he said had helped him. Hernandezs hegemony over the gang would not last long, though, as the founding member of the Latin Scorpions was stabbed and killed by a member of the Latin Kings in 1970. The gang hierarchies that rule on the street have been transferred to the prisons. Just outside Menard, gang members have hit golf balls packed with cocaine and marijuana over the wall to their friends in the prison yard, said Heltsley, the former prison investigator. It has been making the rounds, he laughed. "Big Lowe had his own cook," said Stateville Capt. He figured something was up. . Just as gangs signify territories with graffiti in neighborhoods, they use graffiti and gang colors to mark cells inside prison. Maniac Latin Disciples display black and baby blue colors. They say that gang leaders are often well-behaved inmates, which entitles them to better treatment and more freedom. Art has increasingly become the concern of the artist and the bafflement of the public.Henry Geldzahler (19351994), The visual is sorely undervalued in modern scholarship. In 1978, the Latin Disciples joined the Folk Nation, a much larger alliance created by Larry Hoover in an attempt to reduce violence among black gangs in South Chicago. The collapse of the SGD left in its wake fractured gangs and a breakdown in gang leadership. One widely held belief among law enforcement experts and others familiar with Illinois prisons is that officials want to keep gang leaders happy so that the leaders, in turn, use their powers to prevent a full-blown incident, like a riot or a major fire, that would create bad publicity.