A federal jury has delivered a guilty verdict against a notorious Chicago street gang leader, confirming his role in a 20-year reign of criminal activity across the city's West Side. LaBar Spann, 47, was convicted on multiple charges, including racketeering conspiracy and two counts of murder in aid of racketeering, involving four premeditated murders tied to his gang's operations.
Details surrounding the trial, which took place inthe U.S. District Court in Chicago, were shared by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Illinois. Over six weeks, testimonies from fellow gang members, eyewitnesses, law enforcement officers, and expert witnesses painted a stark picture of the Four Corner Hustlers' influence in areas such as West Garfield Park, North Lawndale, and the former LeClaire Courts public housing development.
Spann now faces a mandatory life sentence for his crimes, with sentencing set for April 20, 2026, by U.S. District Judge Thomas M. Durkin. The joint efforts of multiple law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, ATF, and Chicago Police Department, contributed to the successful capture and prosecution of Spann and his associates. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Meghan C. Morrissey, Michelle J. Parthum, and Emily C.R. Vermylen represented the government in the case.
According to the evidence presented at trial, the Four Corner Hustlers not only sold drugs but also committed acts of extortion and armed robbery, violently suppressing rival dealers and intimidating potential witnesses. Spann’s indictment occurred in 2017 alongside eight other gang members, all of whom have been convicted, marking an end to a saga of organized criminal dominance that has plagued sections of Chicago for decades. This verdict underscores the concerted attempt by federal and local authorities to dismantle organized crime within the city.
