Judge dismisses racketeering charges against 23 Latin Kings

TAMPA -- Citing "outrageous" law enforcement conduct, Hillsborough Circuit Judge Daniel Sleet dismissed racketeering charges today against 23 alleged members of the Latin Kings gang.

The judge said that local law enforcement allowed a confidential informant to threaten the defendants with physical violence if they did not show up for Latin Kings meetings.

"Dismissal is an extreme sanction," Sleet wrote in his 41-page ruling. "However, an extreme sanction is warranted to punish extreme conduct."

The judge also said: "Unfortunately, this C.I. was left to his own devices, to scheme of ways to entrap reluctant suspects, and to brazenly weave a web of deception in the face of his police handlers."

Sleet said the confidential informant, Luis "Danny" Agosto, should have been either terminated and taken to jail for his actions, which included stealing motorcycles while working for police, or have been more closely monitored with electronic and visual surveillance.

The Latin Kings members were arrested in a splashy raid at the Caribbean American Club off Interbay Boulevard by multiple law enforcement agencies on Aug. 20, 2006.

Originally, more than 50 defendants were charged with racketeering and conspiracy to commit racketeering. Nearly half already have resolved their charges through plea agreements with the state.

During a series of hearings that lasted several months, another 28 defendants argued that there had been police and prosecutorial misconduct that was so egregious the charges should be dismissed.

Sleet's ruling Monday did not bring good news for everyone. Six defendants still face a slew of serious charges, including racketeering, kidnapping, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and aggravated assault with a firearm. Those defendants are: Michael Lugo, Omari Tolbert, Christopher Amieva, Edwin Deleon, Orlando Perez and Marcus Jiles.

Prosecutors say that Lugo and Deleon have both served as the Latin Kings' First Crown or Inca, the gang's top leader in Florida.

-- Colleen Jenkins, Times staff writer