‘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.

‘What would Jesus do?’ Utah students torn on death penalty for Charlie Kirk’s accused killer

Keith Olbermann Could Be Cancelled by the Time You Finish This Article: Evil Kirk Comment Will Finish Him for Good

Trump swaps Windsor Castle for Chequers in final leg of UK state visit

Prosecutors to wrap Trump assassination attempt case as defense readies witnesses

Watch: Schumer Has Weird On-Air Malfunction, Gets Stuck in Loop for 40 Seconds Straight Over Kimmel Suspension

Discord’s links to shootings back in spotlight following Charlie Kirk assassination

Conservatives feud over what Charlie Kirk would have wanted

EXCLUSIVE: New DC watchdog aims to become ‘leading voice’ for conservative values, effective governance

Sanders becomes first senator to say Israel committing genocide in Gaza

Judge orders Mahmoud Khalil deported to Algeria or Syria

Immigration judge orders deportation of Mahmoud Khalil to Syria or Algeria

Cornell MBA council warns ‘non-marginalized’ students to avoid minority recruiting events: report

Spirit Airlines pilot scolded after straying too close to Trump’s Air Force One

What Saved the US in the Late 1960s Appears to Be Happening Again, Particularly After Kirk’s Assassination

Trump to designate antifa as ‘major terrorist organization’

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.”