In Peoria, a two-year police investigation into the criminal group known as the “Snakes” has culminated in multiple indictments. This group is linked to a string of violent acts over the past two years in the city. The collaborative effort between the Peoria Police’s Criminal Investigations Division and the Peoria County State’s Attorney’s Office has led to the seizure of 18 firearms, some modified to fully automatic weapons. This significant breakthrough could potentially curb the violence associated with this group, which includes both adults and juveniles. The Peoria County Court now progresses with the prosecution of those indicted. This is the first time the Peoria County State’s Attorney’s Office has filed RICO Act (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations) charges.
The following individuals were indicted as a result of the investigation:
• Messiah Carpenter (DOB 4/6/04)
o Violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Law
• Korion Hopkins (DOB 3/1/06)
o Violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Law
• Quandarius Jones (DOB 11/08/01)
o Violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Law
o First Degree Murder (23-16560)
• Skylar Jordan (DOB 12/28/07)
o First Degree Murder (23-18528)
• Keon Patterson (DOB 7/21/04) o Violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Law
o Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm (two counts)
o Aggravated Battery with a Firearm
• Juvenile Offender 17 years of age
o Violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Law
o Aggravated Battery with Firearm
• Juvenile Offender 17 years of age
o Attempted First Degree Murder
o Violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Law
o Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm
• Juvenile Offender 17 years of age
o Violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Law
o Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm (multiple counts)
o Aggravated Battery with a Firearm
• Juvenile Offender now 18 years of age
o Violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Law
o Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm
• Juvenile Offender 16 years of age
o Violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Law
Statement from Peoria Police Chief Eric Echevarria: “I have stated over and over again that we would use every available tool to apprehend, charge, and bring justice to victims of crimes. The filed RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act) charges are a prime example of this. Our Criminal Investigation Division, Special Investigation Division, Peoria Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT), Central Illinois Emergency Response Team (CIERT), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and Peoria County Sheriff Detectives did a phenomenal job in gathering intelligence, evidence, and other supporting facts and documents that linked four adults and six minors to three murders, 12 shootings, and the recovery of 18 guns over a two-year span. Although tedious and involving many long hours of work, this demonstrates the dedication of the Peoria Police Department in bringing closure to our community who have been victimized by these violent offenders. If not for the hard work and dedication of our detectives, two murders from 2023 that went cold would not have been solved. I want to give a special thank you to Assistant State’s Attorney Terry Muench who walked hand in hand with Lead Peoria Police Detectives Hulse and Bainter to bring these charges forward to the State’s Attorney’s office. We will continue to work diligently to make Peoria the safest community possible. For those of you who want to continue to commit crimes be advised we are watching and if we don’t catch you today, we may be waiting until tomorrow.”
**All suspects and arrestees are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. **