‘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.

MN lawmakers unload on Walz’s ‘legacy’ after he touts fraud record in final annual address: ‘Ridiculous’

DNC chair ripped for downplaying unreleased 2024 autopsy after Dem losses: ‘Self-inflicted crisis’

DOJ weighs new classified leak charges against Comey as legal pressure escalates

Report: Dem Senate Candidate Deleted Thousands of Radical Tweets, Bashed Middle America: ‘Wish I Never Left California’

GOP warns Trump over war powers deadline amid Iran standstill

House Dem Invokes ‘Nazi’ War Crimes in Attack on Hegseth Over Caribbean Strikes as Rhetoric Escalates

Louisiana to go ahead with primary election for all races besides six House seats

Trump ends DHS’ months-long nightmare that left immigration enforcement without funding

Chick-fil-A employee busted in bizarre $80K mac-and-cheese theft scheme

Mark Sanford quits House race after one month, says fighting national debt is better done outside politics

‘Giggling’ cop killing suspect slammed by judge as prosecutors fought bail release for repeat felony offender

DOJ Uncovers Numerous Ways the Biden Admin ‘Devastated the Lives of Many Christian Americans’

US Moves to Deploy Never-Before-Used ‘Dark Eagle’ Weapons System Against Iran

Cole Allen concedes to stay in jail ahead of Trump assassination attempt trial

Trump was ‘one door away’ from danger, GOP lawmakers says as he demands Secret Service explanation

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.”