‘Latin Kings’ Gang Leader Freed by ‘First Step Act’ Arrested for Murder After Nationwide Manhunt

A notorious leader of the “Almighty Latin Kings” gang has been arrested for murdering a man less than a year after being freed from federal prison by the “First Step Act.”

Joel Francisco, 41, had been wanted since October 2nd for stabbing to death 46-year-old Troy Pine at a hookah lounge in the Federal Hill neighborhood of Rhode Island, Breitbart News reported. Last week, authorities confirmed that Francisco was arrested at a motel in the San Antonio, Texas area.

In February, Francisco — dubbed the “Crown Prince” of the Latin Kings gang in 2005 — was released from federal prison after President Donald Trump signed into law the First Step Act, promoted by a coalition of Democrats, Republicans, and progressive and libertarian nonprofits.

According to an investigative report by the Providence Journal‘s Brian Amaral and Katie Mulvaney, Francisco was convicted in 2005 for dealing crack cocaine and powder cocaine. The conviction was Francisco’s third drug conviction, thus he was given a mandatory life sentence in federal prison.

Florida’s CAIR threatens lawsuit against DeSantis after he labels group a ‘foreign terrorist’ organization

Top US political figures lend legitimacy to Qatari forum allied with array of anti-American groups

3 people arrested after 7 Providence College students overdose at off-campus party

Trump says New York Times questioning his stamina could be ‘treasonous’

Trump mocks Ilhan Omar’s ‘turban’ in latest anti-Somali tirade

Trump compares real wages under his admin versus Biden’s during speech calling out Dem affordability ‘hoax’

Trump gives update on wounded National Guard member 2 weeks after DC ambush shooting: ‘He got up from bed’

American skydivers reclaim world record from Libya with massive flag jump on Pearl Harbor Day

Trump says Rep. Crockett’s Senate run ‘a gift to Republicans’: ‘Can’t imagine she wins’

$900B defense bill advances to House-wide vote as conservative mutiny threat looms

Trump rips Biden and Democrats over affordability in Pennsylvania: ‘Like Bonnie and Clyde preaching public safety’

New report reveals federal spending per person has ballooned by nearly 10,000% since 1916

Twin Blue-State Punks Meet SWAT Justice After Threatening Medieval Torture, Then Murder of DHS Asst. Dir. Tricia McLaughlin

Plane crash-lands on top of Toyota on Florida freeway following engine trouble

McDonald’s Pulls Unsettling Christmas Commercial After it Sparks Massive Backlash

After Trump signed the First Step Act into law, though, Francisco had his life sentence for crack dealing reduced and he was released in February of this year, along with the other 3,100 convicts released this year by the new law.

Before his release, Francisco pleaded with the court that he had turned his life around, noting his taking part in rehabilitation programs in prison, which advocates of the First Step Act readily cited to make their case that even violent convicts could be reformed and thus released.

On July 13, about six months after being released from prison, Francisco was accused of breaking into the home of his ex-girlfriend and charged with domestic violence. Three months later, on October 2nd, police said Francisco stabbed Pine to death and immediately skipped town in an attempt to evade murder charges.

“I just want an answer,” Pine’s nephew Jay Chattelle told the Providence Journal. “I just want to know what happened to my uncle. But at the same time, you’re thinking, ‘Once this is all done, Uncle Troy is still not here.’”

Before his release from federal prison, Providence law enforcement officials warned that the former gang leader would likely commit additional crimes if released.

“Some criminals deserve to spend their lives incarcerated,” Providence Police Department Deputy Chief Thomas Verdi told the Providence Journal. “Joel is one.”