CHICAGO – The alleged "supreme Inca" of Chicago's big Latin Kings street gang was convicted by a federal jury Tuesday of taking part in a large-scale cocaine-selling scheme.
Fernando King, 38, was convicted after jurors deliberated for parts of three days over testimony that he was the No. 2 gang member and had plotted to possess and distribute cocaine.
King was arrested in December 2006 along with a number of other alleged Latin Kings members, some of whom have since pleaded guilty. King's defense attorneys denied that he was involved in any drug plot.
Four prosecution witnesses testified that King was the gang's "supreme Inca," or No.2 leader.
The conviction carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years in federal prison, and King could get up to life. U.S. District Judge David H. Coar set Dec. 3 for sentencing.
Following the verdict, defense attorney Joseph Lopez told reporters he would file a written motion for a new trial, based on note from jurors saying that they were concerned about their safety and security.
The Latin Kings are known as one of Chicago's biggest street gangs.
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