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9 people face federal racketeering charges in chicago

A seven-years-long investigation by a variety of federal agents has led to criminal charges against nine Chicago residents. Each of these people were already in federal or state custody when the indictment was issued. These people face federal racketeering charges stemming from a variety of violent behavior.

According to federal investigators, the nine people were members of a South Side gang and had been involved in the murder of five individuals between 2006 and 2008. The federal authorities also accuse these individuals of four attempted murders and the solicitation of another murder. Investigators also allege that these people were responsible for drug sales and robberies in a sliver of the city east of the Dan Ryan Expressway, south of 41st Street and north of Garfield Boulevard.

Police claim that these people used intimidation tactics to keep people from cooperating with the investigation. Therefore, it took a long time for police to get the evidence that they needed to issue the indictments.

These are extremely serious federal charges that could result in life in prison or the death penalty. U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder will make the final determination as to whether the government will pursue the death penalty.

When police, or federal agents, are relying on witness testimony from a variety of sources over a long period of time, it is easy for mistakes to be made. Federal charges are very serious and people need to do everything they can to prove their innocence. Therefore, people should know that they have the right to challenge the eye-witness testimony in court. If pieces of evidence can be successfully challenged, people may be successful in eliminating certain charges or penalties.

By Robert Kerr

Source: CBS Chicago, “Feds Announce Charges Against Gang Members,” Sept. 26, 2013

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