Sixteen men have been charged with multiple felonies and accused of being members of the Latin Kings street gang after a long-term investigation into drug dealing and firearm sales in the Aurora area, authorities announced Friday. The investigation was conducted by the Aurora Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Kane County State's Attorney's Office. It spanned almost three years and culminated Friday, with the unsealing of Kane County Grand Jury indictments against the 16 men, according to officials.
The investigation involved undercover narcotics and weapons buys and the use of confidential informants, all Latin Kings members themselves. Charging documents indicate the buys were all recorded on audio or video.
During the investigation, officials said they seized 13 firearms and about 22 ounces of cocaine.
A total of 96 felony charges have been filed against the 16 men. Of those charges, 32 are Class X felonies, which warrant enhanced penalties upon conviction, according to police.
Those charged are not considered gang leaders, but "the charges illustrate their alleged regular involvement in the activities of the gang," Aurora Police spokesman Dan Ferrelli said in an email.
Aurora Police Chief Kristen Ziman, FBI Chicago Office Acting Special Agent in Charge John Brown and Kane County State's Attorney Joe McMahon announced the charges Friday in a news release sent by the Aurora Police Department. The agencies conducted the investigation under the umbrella of the U.S. Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force.
"Every day, there are reports in the news about people being shot: men, women and children who are killed by gang members who have little regard for human life," Brown said in the news release. "Today, the FBI working with our local law enforcement partners, further our joint efforts to remove dangerous gang members who possess illegal firearms from the streets of Illinois."
Poster Comment:
silly rabbits...