‘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.

Supreme Court deals blow to Virginia Democrats in fight over state court ruling

Navy veteran Rocky Rochford seeks to turn Tampa Bay red, unseat 20-year House incumbent

Trump Reveals Waterfront Site for Long-Planned National Garden of American Heroes

Alex Murdaugh retrial could bring potential death penalty as AG says ‘all our legal options are on the table’

Op-Ed: Tulsi Gabbard, the CIA, And the MKUltra Files – What Are They Hiding?

Fox News True Crime Newsletter: Nancy Guthrie sheriff, Alex Murdaugh’s win, Kouri Richins’ message

Outrage: Using Enormous Pipes Water Utility Didn’t Know About, AI Data Center Guzzled 30 Million Gallons of Water for Free

Texas Boom: GOP-Led State Brags America’s 5 Fastest-Growing Cities as People Flee Blue States

Unlikely bipartisan Senate duo seeks to permanently ban ex-lawmakers from lobbying

Georgia GOP gubernatorial hopeful vows to ‘ban DEI’ in state but his own nonprofit urged CEOs to invest in it

‘Brutally Painful’ – Jordan Peterson’s Real Condition Revealed by Wife – They Need Our Prayers

Murkowski vs Trump: Senator sides with Democrats on Iran after series of breaks with president

Bishop Barron slams ‘borderline communists’ Sanders, Mamdani ahead of Trump prayer event: ‘Economy that kills’

Faith leaders and administration officials join together for Rededicate 250: What to know

Trump DHS Announces 12 Straight Months of Zero Border Releases as Crossings Hit Historic Lows

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.”