The nation's highest-ranking leader of the Latin Kings was sentenced to 60 years in federal prison Thursday.
Augustin Zambrano, 51, was convicted of racketeering conspiracy and related charges involving narcotics trafficking and violence.
Zambrano, who has been in federal custody since 2009, must serve at least 85 percent of his sentence due to his extensive criminal record, according to the United States Attorney's Office.
Also known as "Big Tino," "Tino," "Old Man" and "Viejo," Zambrano is responsible for managing all illegal activities of the gang with some 10,000 members in Illinois alone.
“This investigation was held to hold the leaders of the Latin Kings like Zambrano responsible for their iron-fisted leadership of a criminal enterprise responsible for murders and attempted murders,” said Patrick J. Fitzgerald, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, in a statement. "As the CEO of this gang, Zambrano bears responsibility for its criminal acts."
Evidence presented at the trial included audio and video recordings of three beatings of gang members for violating gang "rules" and testimony documenting 20 shootings in the Little Village area.
Three co-defendants were convicted with Zambrano, as well.
Zambrano is the highest-ranking Latin King leader to be convicted since Gustavo "Gino" Colon was given a life sentence in 2000.
