Reputed Latin King leader agrees to plead guilty to murder

HAMMOND | A Highland man, described by friends as a doting dad dedicated to his children's Little League activities, pleaded guilty to murder and drug charges Thursday in one of the region's largest gang prosecutions.

During an afternoon hearing in federal court, prosecutors said they would recommend Alexander "Pacman" Vargas, 34, be accepted into a witness protection program in exchange for his cooperation. Vargas faces two mandatory life sentences for the 2007 murders of two rival Latin Dragon leaders outside Griffith's Sopranos Lounge.

He wore green prison garb, thick-framed glasses and handcuffs Thursday as he answered the judge's questions in a firm voice. Two rows of family members had trouble keeping their composure, crying after the hearing on benches outside the courtroom.

Vargas is one of more than 20 alleged Latin King members or associates — including two former Chicago police officers — indicted in a sweeping racketeering case targeting the gang. According to court documents, Vargas was a regional officer, giving orders to about 400 "soldiers" and traveling south to consult with gang members in Texas.

As part of a plea deal, Vargas agreed to give the government information and testify against his co-defendants if needed. Prosecutors said they would consider filing a motion for a decreased sentence if his cooperation were deemed helpful.

The government's case painted Vargas as a vengeful drug trafficker, ordering the Latin Dragon murders in retaliation for its members killing his younger brother in 2006.

Vargas also pleaded guilty to drug and gun-related charges, accepting responsibility for conspiring to distribute more than 150 kilograms of cocaine and 1,000 pounds of marijuana. The cocaine alone carries a wholesale street value of about $3 million, while the drug charge carries a mandatory minimum of 10 years behind bars and a potential maximum fine of $10 million.

Joseph Cooley, a trial attorney for the U.S. Department of Justice, said Vargas had been involved with the gang since the mid-1990s.

During a 2005 meeting in Texas, Vargas was accused of instructing leaders on ways to avoid detection and prosecution. According to the indictment, a year later he ordered local Latin King members to shoot at people attending the funeral of a rival gang member.

But neighbors, co-workers and a Little League coach wrote letters on behalf of the father of five, describing a different man.

His employer at Old Veteran Construction, where Vargas worked as a bricklayer for about 12 years, said he was a "valued employee who is dedicated and hard-working." Others recalled him as caring and charismatic, attending every Little League game and bringing snacks for the players. Vargas' home recently went into foreclosure, but former neighbors on Idlewild Drive said they could not have asked for a better family living next door.

According to court records, Vargas also had three drug and gun-related convictions prior to the racketeering indictment in 2010, the most recent in 2005.

Chicago attorney Todd Pugh, who is representing Vargas, declined to comment after the hearing. Vargas is the fifth co-defendant to change his plea in the case. The trial for the remaining defendants is scheduled for March 19.