13 Street Gang Members Charged In Racketeering Conspiracy: Feds

CHICAGO — For two decades, members of a street gang faction based on Chicago's West Side have been responsible for at least 38 murders and attempted murders, according to charges unsealed Monday in federal court.

The 21-count indictment alleges that Donald Lee, 39; DeShawn Morgan, 39, and Marquel Russel, 44, were the leaders of the Wicked Town faction of the Traveling Vice Lords gang.

Darius Murphy, 22, Torance Benson, 29, Davion Russell, 21, Deshon George, 28, Nashon Johnson, 42, Dante Dockett, 43, Demond Brown, 28, Victor Turner, 30, Willie Gardley, 27, and David Arrington, 26, are also charged with engaging in the same racketeering conspiracy. All 13 men are in custody awaiting arraignments.

Prosecutors said Wicked Town was a criminal enterprise that operated "trap houses" in the Austin neighborhood, including three homes in the 500 block of North Leamington Avenue.

New members were "blessed in" to the gang during meetings led by Russell, also known as "Will Panero," with a "series of rituals and oaths," according to the indictment.

"Members of the enterprise and their associates promoted the enterprise on social media sites including Facebook," it said, "including by posting comments, photographs, and videos, and using the Facebook Live feature during which they, among other things, proclaimed their membership in the enterprise, taunted rival gang members, and boasted about illegal activities, including murders and other acts of violence."

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During a multi-year investigation, authorities seized 46 guns, as well as 17 kilograms of cocaine, 7 kilograms of heroin and about 100 grams of crack, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office in Chicago.

“In bringing this racketeering indictment, we are seeking to hold accountable those who played a central role in significant gang violence on the West Side of Chicago,” U.S. Attorney John Lausch said in a statement announcing the charges. “These RICO charges are the result of many federal, state, and local law enforcement partners working together to fulfill a common mission – reducing gun violence and keeping the people of Chicago safe.”

The indictment includes charges for two murders spanning two decades:

Arrington allegedly murdered Ronald Boyd on Aug. 22, 2020, in Chicago.
Turner allegedly murdered Sammy Hodges on March 10, 2019, in Chicago.
Morgan, Murphy, and Brown allegedly murdered Donald Holmes, Jr. and Diane Taylor, on Jan. 31, 2018, in Chicago.
Murphy, Brown, Gardley, and Arrington allegedly murdered Uriah Hughes on Jan. 11, 2018, in Chicago.
Murphy, Brown, Lee, and Gardley allegedly murdered Kishaun Mobley on Dec. 23, 2017, in Chicago.
Murphy allegedly murdered Alfred Stovall on April 28, 2017, in Chicago.
Dockett and Davion Russell allegedly murdered Derrick Jones and Stephen Tucker on Dec. 23, 2016, in Chicago.
Benson allegedly murdered Martel Howard on Jan. 21, 2016, in Chicago.
Murphy and Brown allegedly murdered Dan Rance on Sept. 2, 2015, in Chicago.
Murphy, Brown, and Lee allegedly murdered James Douthard on Aug. 23, 2015, in Chicago.
Turner and Lee allegedly murdered Malcolm Willie on July 15, 2015, in Chicago.
Gardley and Lee allegedly murdered Charlie Weathers on May 23, 2015, in Chicago.
Brown allegedly murdered Abraham Cooper on Dec. 23, 2014, in Chicago.
Brown and Benson allegedly murdered Ron Hernandez on Dec. 21, 2014, in Chicago.
Lee allegedly murdered John Johnson on June 15, 2003, in Chicago.
Lee and Johnson allegedly murdered Ernest Moore on Dec. 23, 2002, in Chicago.
Lee allegedly murdered Lamont Ware on July 22, 2000, in Chicago.

Prosecutors' racketeering conspiracy charge usually carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison, but a life sentence is possible for certain underlying activities. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, several defendants face a possible death penalty sentence if convicted of certain murder charges.