This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force operation. Drug Enforcement Administration, Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, Cook County Sheriff’s Office, and the Chicago High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area program ( HIDTA). Substantial assistance in the investigation was provided by the FBI, IRS Criminal Investigation Division, Illinois State Police, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and David Brown, Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department. Matthews, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Division of the U.S. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois Jeffrey L. The jury convictions were announced by John R. The jury found that Lee committed three murders and supplied the firearms used in three other killings, while Benson committed one murder and three attempted murders. The gang operated primarily in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood, where members maintained “trap houses” to store firearms and illegal narcotics, including cocaine and heroin. Wicked Town members regularly promoted their violent enterprise on social media, posting comments, photos, and videos to proclaim membership in the gang, taunt rival gang members, and boast about murders and other acts of violence. The gang used threats and intimidation to prevent victims and witnesses from cooperating with law enforcement.
Wicked town traveling vice lords trial#
The investigation resulted in the seizures of more than 45 firearms, approximately 1,000 rounds of ammunition, approximately 17 kilograms of cocaine, approximately seven kilograms of heroin, and approximately 100 grams of crack cocaine.Įvidence at trial revealed that the Wicked Town gang engaged in numerous acts of violence, including at least 19 murders, 19 attempted murders, several armed robberies, and assaults. The other eleven defendants pleaded guilty prior to trial and are awaiting sentencing. Lee and Benson were among 13 defendants charged as part of a multi-year investigation into the gang’s criminal activities.
Durkin did not immediately set sentencing dates. Lee faces a mandatory sentence of life in federal prison, while Benson’s convictions carry a maximum potential sentence of life. The jury also convicted TORANCE BENSON, 30, of Chicago, a member of the gang, on racketeering conspiracy and firearm charges. Lee was a leader of the Wicked Town faction of the Traveling Vice Lords street gang.
The jury convicted DONALD LEE, 40, of Chicago, after a two-month trial in U.S.
Morgan immediately suspected Holmes was behind the traffic stop and began plotting to have him killed, the charges alleged.CHICAGO - A federal jury today convicted the leader of a Chicago street gang on racketeering conspiracy, firearm, and drug charges for participating in a criminal organization that murdered rivals and violently protected a drug-dealing operation on the West Side of Chicago. Morgan was pulled over as he drove away, but no weapons were found and he was released, according to the complaint. 30, 2017 - two months before his killing - and watched as Morgan pulled up to Holmes’ residence to retrieve a firearm, the charges alleged. In fact, law enforcement at the time had won approval in Cook County criminal court to wiretap Holmes’ cellphone as part of an ongoing narcotics investigation, according to the complaint.īased on that wiretap, undercover officers had Holmes under surveillance on Nov. The murder weapon was recovered in February 2018 when a different man was arrested by police in Milwaukee with the gun in his possession, according to the complaint.Īlthough Holmes had previously worked as a cooperating source for law enforcement, he was not working with law enforcement at the time of the murders, the complaint said. The day after the slayings, Brown purchased a used Buick LeSabre for $900 in cash and drove to Minneapolis, where he traded the 9mm handgun used in the murders for a different firearm. (U.S Attorney's Office)Īccording to the charges, Morgan paid Brown and Murphy $5,000 and also gave Brown an assault rifle as payment for the hit. Federal authorities say this 9 mm Smith & Wesson pistol was used to commit the murders was recovered in Milwaukee after an unrelated arrest in 2018.
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