Eight Alleged Members and Associates of the Two Six Nation Street Gang Indicted for Racketeering Conspiracy

Four members of the Two Six Nation street gang and four of their associates have been indicted for their roles in a racketeering conspiracy spanning more than 20 years, as well as murder and drug trafficking charges.

 

Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney David A. Capp of the Northern District of Indiana, Special Agent in Charge Carl Vasilko of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF) Chicago Field Division, Special Agent in Charge Jack Riley of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Chicago Field Division and Special Agent in Charge W. Jay Abott of the FBI’s Indianapolis Division made the announcement.

 

“Today’s action reflects the most recent in the department’s continuing efforts to free communities within East Chicago, Gary and Chicago from the scourge of gang violence and drug dealing,” said Assistant Attorney General Caldwell.   “Over the years, the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division have partnered to use RICO and other federal charges to disrupt and dismantle violent gangs like the Imperial Gangsters, the Latin Kings and now the Two Six Nation.   These rolling prosecutions of violent gangs in this region demonstrate the department’s commitment to ensure that no gang is able to maintain a foothold in these communities.”

 

“This is our third use of the federal RICO statute against violent street gangs operating in northwest Indiana,” said U.S. Attorney Capp.   “This indictment was the result of extensive federal-local law enforcement work on both sides of the state border.   Our investigations continue and we will not hesitate to utilize the power of the RICO statute to remove these individuals from the streets.”    

 

The second superseding indictment returned by a federal grand jury on Aug. 21, 2014, and unsealed today, charges Adron Herschel Tancil, aka “Awol,” 36, of East Chicago, Indiana; Jesus Valentin Fuentes, aka “Chu Chu,” 39, of Gary, Indiana; Frank Perez Jr., aka “Pumpkin,” 33, of Verona, Pennsylvania; and Anthony Cresencio Aguilera, aka “P-nut,” 35, of Portage, Indiana with RICO conspiracy and   conspiracy to engage in drug trafficking, including marijuana, cocaine, crack cocaine, heroin and ecstasy.   Also charged in the narcotics conspiracy are Oscar Cosme, aka “Cos,” 41, of East Chicago; Ester Carrera, aka “Mama D,” 61, of Gary; Paul Brock, aka “Big Brock,” 27, of Gary; and Alma Delia Carrera, 28, of Gary.   Both the RICO and narcotics conspiracies allege criminal conduct spanning more than 20 years, from January 1992 to the present.

 

The indictment further charges defendants Tancil, Fuentes and Cosme with the May 16, 2003, homicide of Julio Cartagena in East Chicago.   Kiontay Kyare Pennington has already pleaded guilty to murder in aid of racketeering for his role in this homicide.

 

In addition, the indictment charges Frank Perez with the July 13, 1999, murder of Jose Pena Jr. in Whiting, Indiana.  

 

The charges contained in an indictment are merely accusations and all persons charged are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.

 

This case is being investigated by the ATF, DEA, FBI, East Chicago Police Department and Whiting Police Department, with assistance from the Chicago Police Department, Gary Police Department, Hammond Police Department, Highland Police Department and the Lake County High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area task force.   Assistance was also provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania.

 

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Nozick for the Northern District of Indiana and Trial Attorney Andrew L. Creighton of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section.