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Gang indictments reveal violence being driven by factions “trying to boost their group’s reputation on the street or on social media”

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Illinois

* Jason Meisner and Annie Sweeney at the Tribune…

The announcement earlier this month of a [federal] racketeering indictment charging the Wicked Town gang faction with 19 of those killings was the latest in a concerted push by federal investigators to go after those believed to be driving the gun violence in Chicago, which has reached levels not seen in years. […]

At the core of each indictment, though, is a common theme: That much of today’s violence is being driven not by sophisticated drug trafficking enterprises but by gang factions trying to boost their group’s reputation on the street or on social media, creating a seemingly endless cycle of shootings and retaliation. […]

“We’ve seen the gangs change and shift,” [US Attorney John Lausch] said. “They’re more factionalized. … When we’re looking at the drivers of violence, we’ve seen a lot of it relate to turf and social media and retaliation upon retaliation. And this is a way from a federal law enforcement standpoint that we can make an impact.”

* From the press release announcing the racketeering indictment…

The indictment alleges that the Wicked Town faction engaged in numerous acts of violence, including at least 19 murders, 19 attempted murders, several armed robberies, and assaults. The gang used threats and intimidation to prevent victims and witnesses from cooperating with law enforcement, the charges allege.

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 indictment states. The gang operated primarily in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood, where members allegedly maintained “trap houses” to store firearms and illegal narcotics, including cocaine and heroin.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Nov 29, 21 @ 2:44 pm

Comments

The cops who monitor Facebook must smile…often.

Comment by Dotnonymous Monday, Nov 29, 21 @ 2:50 pm
Since we apparently cannot stop the tsunami of firearms that flows into the hands of criminals on a level that would impress many third-world war lords, we need to lock up the shooters until their fingers are too old and frail to pull another trigger.

My neighborhood is under assault from rival gang bangers shooting at each other as they drive around. I’m sorry if my sentiment disturbs the “prison doesn’t solve the underlying problems” crowd. These idiots are a clear and present danger to our city and they should be dealt with harshly.

Comment by 47th Ward Monday, Nov 29, 21 @ 3:00 pm
Nice to see something actually being done to reign in the violence.

Comment by Captain Obvious Monday, Nov 29, 21 @ 3:05 pm
Wicked Town sounds like the name of one of those temporary Halloween haunted houses that pop up in the fall at some abandoned house, barn or building.

Comment by NonAFSCMEStateEmployeeFromChatham Monday, Nov 29, 21 @ 3:07 pm
=== reign in the violence===

… or is violence reigning?

To the post,

===… 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…===

There is nothing really good about social media… unless it’s used in this manner.

More like this, please.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Nov 29, 21 @ 3:08 pm
Yet another way that social media makes us meaner and dumber.

Comment by The Way I See It Monday, Nov 29, 21 @ 3:10 pm
Maybe social media should start by trying to deplatform gang members instead of just conservative outlets

Comment by Lucky Pierre Monday, Nov 29, 21 @ 3:12 pm
=Nice to see something actually being done to reign in the violence.=

So you don’t think the police and ther ;law enforcement are doing anything? Fascinating.

Comment by JS Mill Monday, Nov 29, 21 @ 3:15 pm
The gang bangers actively mock Kim Foxx and her catch and release approach to prosecution on social media. Go watch it

Comment by Numbers matter Monday, Nov 29, 21 @ 3:24 pm
Take it out of the County’s hand. Very smart. Job well done. This needs to be addressed and people like Foxx won’t admit they are wrong.

Comment by Almost the Weekend Monday, Nov 29, 21 @ 3:39 pm
==Numbers matter==

That’s interesting. Where could one find those posts? Any indication that these folks are ones who were released on bail? Any… numbers on that?

Comment by JJJJJJJJJJ Monday, Nov 29, 21 @ 3:39 pm
Not a huge fan of the Feds but there needs to be a way to get violent offenders…often repeat offenders terrorizing the rest of
us off the streets for a very long time. Cook County is not capable of doing this so it’s time for Uncle Sam to put the hammer down.

Comment by Fed Up Monday, Nov 29, 21 @ 4:44 pm
Tried an attempt murder case in which the ID was very shaky. Alas, my client’s tweets to the victims were a bit harder for me to explain to the jury. Unfortunately for my client, justice prevailed.

Comment by Paddyrollingstone Monday, Nov 29, 21 @ 4:45 pm
The tech giants who make money off this retaliation bear some responsibility and culpability.

Comment by Dan Johnson Monday, Nov 29, 21 @ 4:58 pm
Interesting that Republicans such as Mr Sullivan claim crime is the big issue but this information says the shootings are gangs shooting other gangs in Chicago.

Yes there’s collateral damage and the shootings endanger the neighborhoods where they occur but those neighborhoods are Democratic, not Republican.

Could the Republicans be scaring and rousing up their base? (No need to answer.)

Comment by Sir Reel Monday, Nov 29, 21 @ 6:26 pm
==Maybe social media should start by trying to deplatform gang members instead of just conservative outlets==

I have to admit, your commitment to being a victim is quite impressive.

Comment by supplied_demand Tuesday, Nov 30, 21 @ 8:36 am
=== Yes there’s collateral damage and the shootings endanger the neighborhoods where they occur but those neighborhoods are Democratic, not Republican.===
There aren’t Democratic and Republican neighborhoods. 1. The majority of people in Chicago don’t vote. 2. Of the people who do vote 25% vote Republican.

Comment by Da big bad wolf Tuesday, Nov 30, 21 @ 10:07 am
It’s common knowledge among Chicago police officers I have talked to that there are serial killers operating in Chicago. These aren’t the typical serial killer you might see on SVU, but a member of a gang that has been involved in multiple shooting incidents where people have been killed. One guy that was part of a crew called 051 YM was rumored to have killed at least 6 rivals and injured another 3 until he was killed at a party on the southside. I do think that if they focus on the violent gangs and the violent criminals within those gangs (and the police know who they are), building RICO cases is a smart strategy. Lock up the true sociopaths that are driving the violence and rehabilitate the individuals that got caught up in gangs due to their circumstances.

Comment by Chicagonk Tuesday, Nov 30, 21 @ 12:34 pm