‘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.

Judge suggests DOJ leadership pushed for Kilmar Abrego Garcia prosecution

Florida firefighters allegedly waterboarded, whipped rookie over TikTok video as 4 face criminal charges

Bear remains under California home after weeks of failed removal attempts

Mainstream Media Reporter Slammed for Insane Suggestion About Somali Day Care Owners Turning to Violence

SEE IT: Daycare center at heart of Minnesota fraud investigation fixes sign after viral mockery

Shirley associate in viral video says he filed criminal complaint against Walz over daycare fraud allegations

Mamdani taps controversial lawyer who defended al Qaeda terrorist for top role: ‘Powerful advocate’

Fox News Politics Newsletter: House GOP whip calls for revoking citizenship over Minnesota fraud

UK government squirms after repatriating antisemitic, anti-white activist from Egypt

Churches Across the Country Join in Troubling Closure Trend for Final Sunday of 2025

BREAKING: Kash Patel Says Minnesota Fraud Probes Were ‘Buried’ Under Biden – They Implicated His ‘Allies’

Police Release New Dash Cam Footage That May Show Missing Texas Teen Camila Mendoza Olmos

Judge considers releasing Jan. 6 pipe bomb defendant into home detention

Not Just Minnesota Buzz About Somali-Linked Fraud Emerges in Two Additional States

Elon Musk unleashes on Tim Walz with new nickname amid Minnesota fraud investigations

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.”