In a recreation yard recently, seven Latin Kings stood conferring in a circle while other inmates played basketball.

"The Latin Kings teach me a lot and he has been a big percentage of my life."

Five other Latin Kings are being prosecuted under the Federal racketeering law.

They said he ran the enterprise through three other Latin Kings, communicating with them through prison visits and letters.

Latin Kings continue to be arrested, they note.

What no one disputes is the Latin Kings' portrayal of the group as an organization for the advancement of Hispanic people.

He was also Latin King of Armenia from either 1361 or 1368.

Between June 1993 and February 1994, seven Latin Kings were murdered.

While originally the Latin Kings are thought to be a male organization, it eventually began to absorb women and give them an equal share.

Even to their lawyers, the hair-trigger violence surrounding the Latin Kings was very nearly surreal.