Maniac Latin Disciples

The Maniac Latin Disciples (MLD) are the second largest Latino street gang in Chicago and the largest Latino gang in the Folks alliance. Originally known as the Latin Scorpions, the gang was founded by Albert "Hitler" Hernandez in the Humboldt Park community in approximately 1966.

They are one of the original gangs in the Folks Nation. In the late 1990s, the Maniac Latin Disciples began to spread their influence into the south side of Chicago along with several Chicago suburbs.

In 1998, federal authorities arrested several top-ranking members of the Maniac Latin Disciples on drug charges now starting to spread to certain places such as Wisconsin and Tennessee.

History

The gang, which originated in about 1966 in the Humboldt Park community, was founded by Albert "Hitler" Hernandez. They were initially known as the Latin Scorpions in 1966 as a neighborhood baseball team in Humboldt Park; because the club was constantly harassed and attacked by resident Caucasian street gangs, such as the Simon City Royals, and Harrison Gents, they began to fight to protect themselves. By approximately 1966, they themselves had turned into a full-fledged gang. Albert “Hitler” Hernandez would position himself as King of the club. From the beginning, the Latin Scorpions engaged in battle with the Latin Kings.