Three alleged members or associates of a street gang in Chicago are facing federal charges, including racketeering conspiracy, that involve a series of violent crimes. According to a federal superseding indictment returned today, Edson Resendez, Maverick Cela, and Prezila Apreza are suspected of committing multiple murders and carjackings as part of the Spanish Gangster Disciples gang.
The indictment outlines a spree of criminal activities that purportedly took place over two weeks in 2020, with Resendez, Cela, and Apreza allegedly having to directly partake in three murders, two attempted murders, four carjackings, an attempted carjacking, and an act of arson. As the charges state, Cela is said to be among the leaders of the gang, which operates from the Northwest Side of Chicago. Currently, all three individuals, ages 23 and 24, are in custody, though arraignment dates on the new charges have yet to be scheduled.
In a statement obtained by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Illinois, U.S. Attorney Andrew S. Boutros emphasized the significance of addressing gang violence. "Combating the unacceptable level of gang violence in the Chicago area has been and will continue to be a top priority in our Office," he said. Boutros, who recently marked his first 30 days in the position, also highlighted the use of "every available federal law enforcement tool to bring impactful cases that hold violent gang members accountable and reduce violent crime."
The efforts led by the FBI's Chicago Field Office, according to Douglas S. DePodesta, Special Agent-in-Charge, are designed to eradicate street gangs and the ensuing community violence. "This investigation is just one of many cases worked by FBI Chicago’s Violent Crime Task Force along with our dedicated Task Force Officers (TFOs) and local law enforcement partners," DePodesta said. He further stressed the commitment to use all available resources to ensure that groups like these can no longer harm Chicago's residents.
This case is a part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative focused on countering illegal immigration, dismantling cartels, and combating transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) to safeguard communities. It consolidates the effort of two key Department of Justice programs: the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).
It is important to remember that an indictment is merely a formal charge and does not constitute proof of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty, and it is up to the government to establish their guilt beyond a reasonable doubt in a fair trial.
