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.
Dems pick potential successor to DC’s congressional delegate after decades-long incumbency
State of play: What to know about potential socialist showdown between Trump and DC mayor as votes pour in
DC Guard shooting suspect stares down death penalty in first court appearance
Trump’s endorsement fails to save MAGA candidate as billionaire advances in key governor race
FDNY deploys 140+ personnel to JFK after Delta flight reported with flat tires on approach to landing
Look: World Cup Fans Visiting for the First Time Fall in Love with America, Go Viral on Blessings We Take for Granted
Trump-backed ‘McCongressman’ wins Oklahoma Senate primary, vows push for stalled SAVE Act
Trump-backed Kevin Hern wins Oklahoma Senate primary to replace Markwayne Mullin
Watch: Misguided Dems Try to Take Viewers from White House UFC Event, Get Stuck with Bette Midler Giving Worst Performance of Her Life
Chick-fil-A Loses Fast-Food Crown for the First Time in 12 Years
Notorious Trans Actor Says He Has Lost Jaw-Dropping Amount of Income Since Trump Stomped DEI – So Where Was It Coming From?
Watch: The Moment Fighter Bo Nickal Literally Jumped the Ring to Get to Trump, Say Words of Respect
Libs Try to Cancel Family-Friendly Comic Nate Bargatze for Trump Birthday Appearance: ‘Done with Him’
Alaska woman uses weapon to survive terrifying bear attack after predator mauls pooch: ‘I thought I was dead’
Son of Mango fashion billionaire heard tearfully telling 911 operator his father had ‘fallen down a ravine’
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.”
Dems pick potential successor to DC’s congressional delegate after decades-long incumbency
State of play: What to know about potential socialist showdown between Trump and DC mayor as votes pour in
DC Guard shooting suspect stares down death penalty in first court appearance
Trump’s endorsement fails to save MAGA candidate as billionaire advances in key governor race
FDNY deploys 140+ personnel to JFK after Delta flight reported with flat tires on approach to landing
Look: World Cup Fans Visiting for the First Time Fall in Love with America, Go Viral on Blessings We Take for Granted
Trump-backed ‘McCongressman’ wins Oklahoma Senate primary, vows push for stalled SAVE Act
Trump-backed Kevin Hern wins Oklahoma Senate primary to replace Markwayne Mullin
Watch: Misguided Dems Try to Take Viewers from White House UFC Event, Get Stuck with Bette Midler Giving Worst Performance of Her Life
Chick-fil-A Loses Fast-Food Crown for the First Time in 12 Years
Notorious Trans Actor Says He Has Lost Jaw-Dropping Amount of Income Since Trump Stomped DEI – So Where Was It Coming From?
Watch: The Moment Fighter Bo Nickal Literally Jumped the Ring to Get to Trump, Say Words of Respect
Libs Try to Cancel Family-Friendly Comic Nate Bargatze for Trump Birthday Appearance: ‘Done with Him’
Alaska woman uses weapon to survive terrifying bear attack after predator mauls pooch: ‘I thought I was dead’
Son of Mango fashion billionaire heard tearfully telling 911 operator his father had ‘fallen down a ravine’
In November 2018, Breitbart News reported that the First Step Act would result in the release of thousands of drug traffickers from prison despite their dealing deadly drugs such as fentanyl and heroin. A report this year by Fox News’s Tucker Carlson stated that the First Step Act had successfully released about 240 sex offenders, nearly 60 convicted murderers and assailants, as well as almost 1,000 inmates convicted for drug crimes.
Story cited here.
