Judge Grants Injunction Against Latin Counts Street Gang Operating in Addison

DuPage County Circuit Court Judge Terrance Sheen has issued a permanent injunction against the Latin Counts street gang operating in Addison, according to a press release from the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office.

The injunction, which was issued following a bench trial Tuesday afternoon, prohibits members of the gang, both named and unnamed, from having any public contact with each other or any other Latin Counts street gang member.

It also prohibits members of the gang from possessing weapons outside the home; using, possessing or delivering any illegal or controlled substances; directing or participating in any assault or battery or the intentional injuring of any person; and “throwing” gang signs. The injunction also prohibits any member of the gang to enter an area bounded to the west by West Lincoln Court and West Lincoln Avenue, bounded to the south by Green Meadow Drive, bounded to the east by North Addison Road and bounded to the north by Byron Avenue in the Village of Addison.

If any of these acts are committed by any member of the gang, the State’s Attorney’s Office may seek a sanction of criminal contempt.     
          
Specifically named in the injunction are Victor Loeza, Omar Corral, Jorge Gomez, David Ortiz, Carlos Mendoza, Gerardo Hernandez, Jose Colon and Kevin Bratt.            
          
According to the lawsuit, the named individuals and unnamed members of the street gang engaged in numerous criminal activities from 2000 to 2010, and in doing so caused injuries and damage to the people of the State of Illinois as well as the Village of Addison. Some of the criminal activities pointed out in the suit include aggravated battery, unlawful delivery of a controlled substance, aggravated intimidation, obstructing justice, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and forgery.           
          
“Today is a good day for the people of Illinois and the residents of Addison,” DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said. “This injunction is a powerful tool that will help us put an end to gang activity in the area and make our streets safer for our children."             
           
Additionally, the injunction also seeks to have the defendants pay $80,000 sought to offset the cost the Village has incurred in combatting the Latin Counts street gang.      
          
This is the fourth successful lawsuit the State’s Attorney’s Office has filed against street gangs in DuPage County in the past 10 years, according to the release.