McHenry County Blog

A press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office:

CHICAGO MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO BRINGING MINOR TO ILLINOIS FOR PROSTITUTION; ADMITS FORCED SEX-TRAFFICKING OF FOUR VICTIMS

CHICAGO — A Chicago man is facing a mandatory minimum of 10 years and a maximum sentence of life in prison after pleading guilty today to transporting a minor from Wisconsin to Illinois for prostitution.

The defendant, CARL BRANDON SMITH, also admitted that he engaged in forced sex-trafficking of the victim, as well as a second minor and two young adult women.

Between 2010 and early 2012, Smith forced his victims to engage in commercial sex acts, used physical violence, and threatened to kill them if they ever left him.

The guilty plea was announced by Gary S. Shapiro, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Thomas R. Trautmann, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Smith, also known as “Moo,” 25, of Chicago, is scheduled to be sentenced on April 5 by U.S. District Judge Amy St. Eve. Smith has remained in federal custody since he was arrested last April last and charged with two counts of sex-trafficking of a minor and by force, two counts of sex-trafficking by force, and one count of transporting a minor across state lines to engage in prostitution.

According to a plea agreement, Smith met Victim B in December 2010 and began contacting her via phone, text, and social media, asking her to move to Chicago, intending that she be his “girlfriend” and also engage in prostitution.

In February 2011, Smith drove from Chicago to Victim B’s residence in Wisconsin, and then drove her from Wisconsin to his apartment in Chicago, acknowledging that she was under 18 at the time.

Once in Chicago, Smith “dated” Victim B for approximately a week before Victim B began working as a prostitute under his employ.

Between February and July 2011, Victim B engaged in commercial sex acts at Smith’s direction. Smith acted as Victim B’s pimp, advertised her for commercial sex on internet sites, and instructed her to have sex with customers in his apartment and in area motels. Victim B had sex with numerous men per week and gave a portion of the money she earned to Smith.

As part of the guilty plea, Smith stipulated that he acted as a pimp for Victim A, also a minor, and forced her to engage in prostitution during 2010.

Smith inflicted physical violence on Victim A when she gave him “attitude” or when she indicated that she no longer wanted to work as a prostitute.

On one occasion, Smith beat Victim A so severely that one eye swelled shut.

Similarly, Smith stipulated to using and threatening violence against both Victims C and D, both adults, while acting as their pimp and forcing them to engage in commercial sex acts in 2011 and early 2012.

The Cook County Human Trafficking Task Force assisted in the investigation. The government is being ­represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Grohman and Felicia Manno Alesia.

A press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office:

THIRTEEN DEFENDANTS INDICTED FOR ALLEGED ROLES IN SCHEME TO OBTAIN MORE THAN $2.5 MILLION FROM STOLEN CORPORATE CHECKS

CHICAGO — Thirteen Chicago and area defendants were indicted on federal bank fraud charges for their alleged roles in a scheme to obtain more than $2.5 million from stolen corporate checks, depositing them into sham business accounts at various banks, and withdrawing nearly $1.6 million of the funds, which they divided among themselves.

The defendants were charged in a 12-count federal grand jury indictment that was unsealed yesterday after eight defendants were arrested and four others voluntarily surrendered to U.S. Postal Inspectors, who led the investigation. A remaining defendant was already in state custody.

All 12 defendants who were arrested or surrendered pleaded not guilty yesterday and were released on their own recognizance after appearing in U.S. District Court. Their next scheduled court appearance is on Jan. 24, 2013.

The indictment was announced by Gary S. Shapiro, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Thomas P. Brady, Inspector-in-Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service in Chicago. The Illinois State Police, the Illinois Gaming Board Police, and the Hillside Police Department assisted in the investigation, and the Chicago Police Department assisted in the arrests.

Three defendants —

• brothers Emanuel Lindsey, 32, and
• Edward Lindsey, 24, both of Chicago, and
• Derrick Sledge, 32, of Hillside

—allegedly obtained the stolen corporate checks already made payable to other business and directed the fraud scheme.

All three were arrested and charged with five counts of bank fraud.

Emanuel Lindsey was placed on home detention and Sledge was placed on electronic monitoring.

Ten other defendants were each charged with one or more counts of bank fraud.

According to the indictment between June 2009 and November 2011, the defendants incorporated various sham businesses that had names spelled similarly to the names of the payees on the stolen checks or to various co-defendants’ names. Various co-defendants were recruited to open bank accounts in the names of the sham businesses and then to withdraw funds from these accounts after the stolen checks had been deposited in exchange for a percentage of the proceeds of the stolen checks.

Overall, the defendants allegedly deposited stolen checks totaling more than $2.5 million and withdrew nearly $1.6 million, using debit cards and checks to make withdrawals at automated teller machines and casinos.

Several defendants made multiple trips from Chicago to Las Vegas to make large cash withdrawals at various casinos.

After various defendants withdrew funds, they gave the money to the Lindseys and Sledge, who then split the proceeds with various other defendants, the indictment alleges.

The indictment seeks forfeiture of approximately $1,585,380.

Also arrested were:

• King Solomon Johnson, 43;
• Tequila Sims, 30;
• Timothy Polen, 22;
• Gregory Tharps, 37; and
• Naisha Jones, 26,

all of Chicago, and each was charged with one count of bank fraud.

Those who surrendered were:

• Eliana Roldan, 26, of Chicago, two counts of bank fraud;
• DeWayne Rhone, 43, of Westchester, one count;
• Nyco Plair, 24, of Chicago, two counts; and
• Sammy Colon, 32, of Chicago, three counts.

Seneca Reece, 32 of Chicago, two counts, was in state custody.

Each count of bank fraud carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine. If convicted, the Court must impose a reasonable sentence under federal statutes and the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines.

The government is being represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Grohman.

The public is reminded that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and are entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

A press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office:

FORTY-THREE ALLEGED MEMBERS AND ASSOCIATES OF THE LATIN KINGS STREET GANG FACING STATE OR FEDERAL NARCOTICS CHARGES

Twenty-six charged in federal complaints; 17 arrested on state charges Heroin, cocaine, and marijuana seized, along with cash and firearms

CHICAGO — Twenty-six alleged members and associates of the Latin Kings street gang are facing federal narcotics charges, most of them for their alleged roles in one of two drug-trafficking organizations that supplied and distributed multi-kilogram quantities of heroin, cocaine, and marijuana in Chicago and the south suburbs, federal and local law enforcement officials announced today.

An additional 17 defendants are facing related state charges in Cook and Will counties.

The federal charges, contained in four separate criminal complaints, stem from an investigation of narcotics and firearms trafficking led by the

• U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives,
• the Joliet Metropolitan Area Narcotics Squad, and
• U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI),

together with other federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.

Agents yesterday seized an undetermined amount of cash and 13 firearms, including five long-barreled weapons, while arresting 16 of the federal defendants. Six other federal defendants were already in custody and four are fugitives.

Previously, during the two-year investigation, agents seized

• more than $50,000;
• four firearms, including a sawed-off shotgun;
• more than two pounds of heroin, and
• wholesale quantities of cocaine, all in the Chicago area, as well as
• nearly two tons of marijuana that was interdicted along the Southwest border.

A federal magistrate judge approved the use of no-knock arrest warrants for two defendants,

• DAMIAN RIVERA, also known as “Spook” and “King Spook,” 31, of Burbank, and
• EMMANUEL FERNANDEZ, aka “Maniac” and “Manny,” 27, of Chicago,

based on their alleged possession of firearms and expressed willingness to use violence.

As part of the investigation, three federal defendants were arrested earlier this week and charged with conspiracy to possess and distribute cocaine that they planned to steal from what they believed was a drug stash house, but which actually was a ruse as part of an undercover sting operation.

The overarching investigation made critical use of an undercover agent who successfully infiltrated the Latin Kings for an extended time.

Twenty-two of the defendants were charged with various drug distribution offenses in two separate criminal complaints that were filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court and unsealed following the arrests.

The federal defendants arrested yesterday appeared before Magistrate Judge Arlander Keys in U.S. District Court and all but one remain in federal custody pending detention hearings scheduled for next week.

Gary S. Shapiro, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, praised the dedication and teamwork of the ATF, Joliet MANS, and HSI agents who worked diligently to disrupt these alleged drug-trafficking organizations. Mr. Shapiro announced the charges with Larry Ford, Special Agent-in-Charge of ATF in Chicago, and Gary Hartwig, Special Agent-in-Charge of HSI in Chicago.

The Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division, the Illinois State Police and the Metropolitan Area Narcotics Squad (MANS), as well as the Summit, Bolingbrook, and Lyons police departments, also participated in the investigation.

The investigation was conducted under the umbrella of the U.S. Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF).
“These cases are textbook examples of the work that the U.S. Attorney’s Office routinely performs with all of our law enforcement partners — federal, state, and local — to stem the tide of gangs, guns, drugs, and violent crime in Chicago and neighboring communities,” Mr. Shapiro said.

“Combating drugs and violent crime, while protecting the public, is the mission of ATF,” Mr. Ford said.

“Yesterday, the men and women of ATF, together with our law enforcement partners, arrested ranking members of the Latin Kings street gang operating in the suburbs of

• Summit,
• South Holland,
• Joliet,
• Bolingbrook,
• Orland Hills,
• New Lenox,
• Lemont, and
• Brookfield, with tentacles reaching into
• the Ogden police district on Chicago’s near west side,

thereby making our respective communities safer. It is a priority of ATF to protect our neighborhoods from drug trafficking and the accompanying use of firearms and violent crime,” he added.

Mr. Hartwig said: “This investigation has dealt a serious blow to alleged criminal organizations suspected of trafficking large quantities of heroin and cocaine from Mexico into the Chicago area. The arrests, including those of several high-ranking Latin Kings gang members, dismantled a destructive supply chain and prevented untold amounts of dangerous drugs and guns from reaching our streets.”

United States v. Rivera, et al.

Twelve defendants were charged with various conspiracies to distribute heroin, or were charged individually with possessing heroin with intent to distribute, or distribution of heroin, in an eight-count complaint, supported by a 234-page affidavit.

These defendants were associated with defendant DAMIAN RIVERA, the alleged leader of a drug trafficking organization based in Chicago that bought and sold kilogram quantities of heroin on a monthly basis, the charges allege.

Between March and June this year, the Rivera drug trafficking organization allegedly distributed or attempted to posses and distribute at least 5.5 kilograms of heroin and collected more than $171,850 in heroin proceeds.

In May, agents seized more than a kilogram of heroin and they also seized more than $53,000 combined on two occasions in May and June.

In June 2011, U.S. Customs and Border protection officers seized a shipment of approximately 1,674.8 kilograms of marijuana that was found hidden inside furniture in a tractor-trailer on the U.S.-Mexican border at Laredo, Tex.

The electronic manifest listed the “ultimate consignee” as “Damian Rivera dba D. Rivera Construction,” with various personal identifiers associated with Rivera.

The complaint details recorded conversations in which Rivera allegedly said that the last time he was in Mexico was when he ordered the load of marijuana that was seized by Customs officers at the border.

Between September 2011 and March this year, the undercover agent and others allegedly purchased

• approximately 100-gram quantities of heroin on four occasions from Rivera and others, as well as
• a .380 caliber pistol,
• a 9 millimeter firearm,
• a Glock pistol,
• a sawed-off shotgun, and
• a bullet proof vest.

Also charged in this complaint were

PEDRO ANTONIO HERNANDEZ ACEVES, who allegedly brokered the shipment of kilogram quantities of heroin on behalf of the Rivera’s organization;

• EMMANUEL FERNANDEZ, who allegedly stored and distributed wholesale quantities of heroin, and collected and delivered cash proceeds generated by the sale of heroin.
• Defendant HECTOR ARIAS allegedly distributed wholesale quantities of heroin and collected cash for delivery to the organization’s heroin supplier, and
• HILARIO TREVINO allegedly collected the Rivera organization’s money.

Rivera and his organization received shipments of wholesale quantities heroin from defendants

• ISRAEL RIOS,
• EUGENIO MIRANDA-APARICIO, and
• ARTURO ESQUIVEL CAMACHO,

the charges allege.

Defendants

• LAMONT WALLACE,
• WILLIAM NUNEZ,
• ADALBERTO DIAZ, and
• DEANGELO CURTIS

allegedly distributed the heroin.

United States v. Cisneros, et al.

Eight defendants were charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine and two others were charged with distribution of cocaine in a three-count complaint, supported by a 132-page affidavit.

These defendants were associated with ALAN CISNEROS, aka “Ghost,” 27, of Summit, the alleged leader of a drug trafficking organization based in suburban Summit, and the alleged regional leader of the Midwest Region of the Almighty Latin King Nation until he was arrested in May of this year.

Between November 2011 and May 7, 2012, the Cisneros drug trafficking organization allegedly obtained multi-kilogram quantities of cocaine from suppliers such as co-defendants ANDRES GARCIA and RICARDO JUAREZ, and distributed the cocaine to its customers.

Defendant CHRISTIAN RAMIREZ allegedly distributed cocaine and served as a manager of the organization.

Ramirez assisted Cisneros by dealing directly with drug suppliers on Cisneros’ behalf, and by obtaining, preparing, and storing cocaine prior to its distribution to organization workers and drug customers, the charges allege.

Further, Ramirez allegedly collected cash from workers, distributors, and customers, as well as stored and delivered drug money on behalf of the organization.

Co-defendants

• FAUSTINO MORALES,
• JAVIER ABEJA,
• ALEJANDRO CABRERA,
• FERNANDO LLANES, and
• ERNESTO ROSALES

allegedly were drug distributors, or workers, to whom Cisneros allegedly fronted cocaine for distribution.

These defendants also delivered cocaine or cash to Cisneros or Ramirez, prepared cocaine to be sold to customers, stored cocaine and money, and conducted counter-surveillance, according to the complaint. Additionally, Abeja and Llanes allegedly brokered purchases of cocaine from suppliers. Cisneros’ wife, DIANA CISNEROS, allegedly worked for the organization and assisted her husband with storing and delivering drugs and proceeds, and conducting counter-surveillance.

In a separate complaint, JUAN AMAYA, aka “Crow,” 37, of Chicago, an alleged ranking Latin Kings member who distributed drugs in Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood, was charged with distributing an ounce of cocaine to an undercover agent in November 2010.

The three defendants arrested Monday for allegedly conspiring to steal drugs from the undercover stash house are JUSTIN R. DAVILA, aka “Fatman,” 23; his brother, JASON J. DAVILA, 21; and NIEKO E. HADLEY, aka “Yogi,” 20, all of Joliet.

Eight defendants in the Rivera case face a mandatory minimum of 10 years to a maximum of life in prison and a $10 million fine, while the others face sentences ranging from a maximum of 20 to 40 years in prison and fines up to $5 million.

All 10 defendants in the Cisneros case are facing a mandatory minimum of five years and a maximum of 40 years in prison and a maximum fine of $5 million. If convicted, the Court must impose a reasonable sentence under federal statutes and the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines.

The government is being represented by Assistant United States Attorneys Tiffany Tracy, Peter M. Flanagan, Christopher Grohman, and Philip Fluhr.

The public is reminded that complaints contain only charges and are not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and are entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

A list of the defendants in the two larger cases follows:

A press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office:

TWO DOZEN MEMBERS AND ASSOCIATES OF BELIZEAN BLOODS STREET
GANG FACING FEDERAL NARCOTICS AND PASSPORT FRAUD CHARGES

CHICAGO — A federal investigation of alleged passport fraud and narcotics trafficking by members and associates of the Belizean Bloods street gang operating in Evanston and Chicago has resulted in charges against two dozen defendants, most of whom were arrested here this week, law enforcement officials announced today.

One defendant, Jerry Johnson, who allegedly directed the Belizean Bloods drug-trafficking organization in Chicago, was arrested yesterday in Salt Lake City and is facing federal charges in Chicago.

Five other defendants were arrested, and three guns were seized, Tuesday afternoon in Lyons where they had gathered as part of an alleged conspiracy to rob what they believed was 50 kilograms of cocaine from a different drug organization but which, in fact, was a ruse in an undercover sting operation.

Overall, 10 separate federal complaints were filed and unsealed in U.S. District Court in Chicago after search and arrest warrants were executed Tuesday and yesterday, announced Patrick J. Fitzgerald, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois.

The charges arise from two coordinated investigations, Operation Blood Hound and Operation Black Orchid, which brought together agents from multiple federal law enforcement agencies, as well as the Chicago and Evanston Police Departments and other local partners.

In 2009, the Chicago Field Office of the U.S. State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service began investigating alleged passport fraud by Belizean nationals, while at the same time the FBI and Evanston and Chicago police were investigating alleged narcotics trafficking by suspected members of the Belizean Bloods.

Previously, during the course of the investigations, bulk amounts of powder and crack cocaine, firearms and assault rifles and cash were seized.

Eight additional Belizean nationals were prosecuted for passport fraud and eight others for illegally re-entering the country within the past year in Federal Court in Chicago. Another Belizean national was arrested yesterday in Chicago on passport fraud charges filed in the Southern District of Florida.

“These coordinated efforts demonstrate the commitment and teamwork of all law enforcement agencies in the Chicago area to combat the dangerous combination of gangs, guns and drugs in our community,”

Mr. Fitzgerald said.

Mr. Fitzgerald announced the arrests and charges with Scott Collins, Acting Special-Agent-in-Charge of the U.S. State Department Diplomatic Security Service Chicago Field Office; Robert D. Grant, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Andrew L. Traver, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in Chicago; Gary J. Hartwig, Special Agent-in-Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Chicago; Alvin Patton, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division in Chicago, and Darryl McPherson, the U.S. Marshal in Chicago. They Chicago and Evanston Police Departments played significant roles in the investigation along with other local agencies. The investigations were conducted under the umbrella of U.S. Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), and with significant assistance from the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force (HIDTA.)

The investigation, which is continuing, relied on undercover purchases of narcotics, surveillance, consensual audio and video recordings, and court-authorized wiretaps of telephone conversations, as well as information provided by multiple cooperating witnesses, including former members and associates of the Belizean Bloods.

According to the charges against Johnson and three others, Johnson’s sources of supply included quantities of narcotics from Belize. He allegedly directed the distribution of powder and crack cocaine and “cooked” powder cocaine to produce crack, which was distributed in wholesale quantities. A cooperating former Belizean Bloods member told agents that Johnson had inherited his father’s drug connections when his father was deported to Belize. The Belizean Bloods narcotics distribution route allegedly included Illinois, Utah, Ohio, Indiana, New York and California.

Johnson, approximately 30, of Chicago and Evanston, also known as “Kaiden Bennett” and “Kalvin Howell,” appeared in Federal Court in Salt Lake City and remains in custody pending a detention hearing tomorrow. Other defendants arrested yesterday in Chicago were scheduled to appear this morning before U.S. Magistrate Judge Arlander Keys in Federal Court in Chicago.

The five defendants arrested Tuesday afternoon in Chicago appeared before Magistrate Keys yesterday and remain in custody pending detention and preliminary hearings at 9:30 a.m. next Tuesday. Three of them, Myreon Flowers, 39, of Chicago, aka “Diesel;” Anward Trapp, 31, of Chicago, aka “Bernard Gillett,” “Herman Flowers,” and “Smash;” and Rudy Space, 30, of Chicago; were charged with conspiracy to possess and distribute cocaine for allegedly planning to rob a purported 50 kilograms of cocaine from a purported “stash” garage in Berwyn. The complaint alleges that they were involved in conversations and planning with an undercover agent and a cooperating witness to engage in a purported armed robbery, and shooting if necessary, of three members of a Mexican drug cartel on Tuesday. They were arrested at meeting spot in Lyons as they prepared to descend upon the fictitious stash location. (United States v. Myreon Flowers, et al., 11 CR 779.) Arrested with them were David Flowers, 34, of Chicago, and Duane Jones, 28, of Chicago, aka “Duane Tillett,” and “Dido,” who are facing separate charges of distributing crack cocaine, together with Myreon Flowers and Eric Burnett, 24, of Chicago. (United States v. David Flowers, et al., 11 CR 770.)

Summaries of the remaining cases follow:

United States v. Johnson, et al., (11 CR 763)

Jerry Johnson, together with Sheldon Morales, 30,of Wheeling, an alleged member of the Gangster Disciples street gang who supplied Johnson with powder cocaine; Douglas Wilson, 57,of Evanston; and Tyrita Myers, approximately 24,of Chicago; were charged with conspiracy to possess and distribute wholesale quantities of cocaine and crack cocaine between August 2010 and March 2011.

United States v. Ward, (11 CR 764)

Anderson Ward, 29, of Chicago, was charged with possession of crack cocaine with intent to distribute in March 2011.

United States v. Gentle and Ellis, (11 CR 766)

William Gentle, 30, of Chicago, and Richard Ellis, 18, of Evanston, were charged with conspiracy to possess and distribute crack cocaine between May and July this year.

United States v. Gadson and Walker, (11 CR 767)

Gilbert Gadson, 45, of Chicago, aka “Gilbert Gatson,” and Roy Walker, 52, of Chicago, were charged with conspiracy to possess and distribute crack cocaine in January and February this year.

United States v. Glen Flowers, (11 CR 768)

Glen Flowers, 40, of Skokie, aka “Glen Gillett,” “William Powell,” and “Herbert Williams, Jr.” was charged with passport fraud for attempting in December 2010 to fraudulently renew a U.S. passport in the name of Herbert Williams, Jr.

United States v. Gibson and Glen Flowers, (11 CR 769)

The same Glen Flowers was charged with distributing powder cocaine, and Harrington Gibson, 63, of Chicago, aka “Uncle Harry,” was charged with distributing crack cocaine on June 29, 2011.

United States v. Perez, et al., (11 CR 771)

Carlos Perez, 41, of Chicago; Alfredo Castro, age and residence unavailable; and Jonathan Vaughan, 26, of Chicago, were charged with distributing cocaine on Oct. 20, 2011.

United States v. Trapp, et al., (11 CR 772)

Anwar Trapp, together with Wilton Bennett, 29, of Chicago; Marlon Conorquie, 36, of Chicago, aka “Dread;” and Alix Aurele, 37, of Dolton, were charged with distributing crack cocaine or heroin in September and October this year.

The defendants are facing various maximum penalties on the narcotics charges, ranging from a maximum of 20 years in prison to mandatory minimum sentences of either 5 or 10 years to a maximum of 40 years or life in prison, together with maximum fines of $250,000, $2 million or $4 million.

The passport fraud charges carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

If convicted, the Court must impose a reasonable sentence under federal sentencing statutes and the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines.

The government is being represented by a combination of Assistant United States Attorney Jessica Romero, Meghan Morrissey, Christopher Grohman and Kate Zell.

The public is reminded that charges are merely allegations and are not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and are entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.