‘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.

Former congresswoman wins primary to take back former suburban Chicago seat

Democrat Patty García gains party’s nomination after controversial last-minute dropout by incumbent

WATCH: Tom Homan Exposes the Entire Dem Scheme With Illegals, Says They ‘Sold This Country Out for Future Political Power’

Two dead in Israel after Iranian missile attack near Tel Aviv

Pittsburgh police officers accused of ignoring ICE agents’ struggle with suspect

Upscale shopping district rocked by alleged antisemitic beating as lawyer, 2 others charged

Bombshell Whistleblower Report: Mueller’s Anti-Trump Witch Hunters Drank on the Job, Tried to Doctor Records, Violated Security Rules

Bombshell: O’Keefe Videos Indisputable Proof of Huge CA Voter Fraud – So Big Newsom’s Office Instantly Called for Prosecution

Trump calls mail in voting corrupt as Senate begins debate on SAVE Act requiring voter ID

Dems unmoved as White House reveals DHS concessions in shutdown battle

BREAKING: SAVE America Act Clears Major Hurdle in the Senate And Is One Step Closer to Becoming Law

House Oversight Committee Subpoenas Pam Bondi

Breaking Report: Joe Kent Was Leaker Who Had Been Cut from President’s Intel Briefings for Months

Iran’s leaders don’t need to hide, envoy insists, despite MIA Khamenei and dead officials

Obama-appointed judge orders release of MS-13 gang member with history of rape, robbery, attacked ICE officers

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.”