In a landmark case for Peoria, Illinois, ten members of the so-called “Snakes” gang face charges under the RICO Act (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations), marking a historical move by the State’s Attorney’s Office to curb local violence. This is the first time the Peoria County State’s Attorney’s Office has filed a RICO charge. The gang, accused of engaging in a spree of violence including three murders and 12 shootings over two years, was apprehended following a thorough investigation led by State’s Attorney Jodi Hoos in collaboration with local law enforcement agencies. The suspects, ranging from 16 to 22 years old, have been linked to possession of 18 firearms, some modified illegally for automatic fire. As the community reacts to this significant legal action, further details await as the investigation continues. For any tips, the public is urged to contact the Peoria Police Department at 309-673-4521 or the Peoria County Sheriff’s Office at 309-697-8515.
“This violent group joined together to terrorize our community. The sheer volume of violent crimes committed by the group is exactly what the RICO statute was designed for, so today they can join in the charges,” Jodi M. Hoos, Peoria County State’s Attorney.
“This was all possible thanks to the countless hours spent on the coordinated investigation between the State’s Attorney’s Office, the Peoria Police Department, and the Peoria County Sheriff’s Office.”
Korion Hopkins (18), Keon Patterson (20), Messiah Carpenter (20), and Quandarius Jones (22), were indicted yesterday by a Peoria County Grand Jury. The juveniles involved, two sixteen-year-old males and four seventeen-year-old males, were also charged in juvenile court, and a Petition to Transfer them all to adult court was filed along with the charges.
All of these individuals are currently in custody. Nine of them are in custody at the Peoria County Jail or the Juvenile Detention Center, and one is in custody in another state.
The Peoria County Sheriff’s Office said, “Great job by Peoria County and Peoria PD investigators, officers, deputies, ATF, and the Peoria County State’s Attorney’s Office. This group was extremely violent and responsible for numerous shootings in the City of Peoria, West Peoria, and the prom party in April at Valley Lakes Center on Ivy Lake Rd. The multiple operations done by CIERT and Peoria SWAT were very dangerous and resulted in the seizure of many guns.”