‘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.

Chicago residents unionize to fight possible displacement, rent hikes over Obama Presidential Center

Watch: College Student Wants ‘Condemption’ of Rapists but Doesn’t Want ICE to Remove Them – She Also Can’t Figure Out What ICE Stands For

Trump says ICE will deploy to airports Monday to assist TSA amid funding standoff

Dem Governor Begs Rich People Who Fled New York For Florida To Return And Foot Bill For ‘Generous Social Programs’

Former FBI agent Robert Levinson’s disappearance still unsolved as bureau presses for new tips

NYC’s First Lady Exposed Approving of Suicide Attack Propaganda, Plane Hijackers, and Outrageous Attacks on US Troops

Tensions and deadlocks over Trump’s US attorney picks hit fever pitch

Jewish voters feel ‘politically homeless’ as antisemitism rises on both sides

Pence: Trump upended ‘some aspects’ of GOP agenda but ‘hasn’t really changed the Republican Party’

Fairfax County ignored 2023 detainer against illegal immigrant now accused of murder, ICE says

Virginia Democrats push gambling bill after taking massive donations from gambling company

Man found not guilty by reason of insanity in killing of pregnant Seattle woman, unborn child

Woman claims space rock smashed into house after Houston-area blast rattles residents

Trump gives Iran 48-hour ultimatum to reopen Strait of Hormuz or face strikes on power plants

Venezuelan migrant arrested after Loyola Chicago student fatally shot near campus

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.”