Latin Count Gang Member Charged with Murder, Racketeering Conspiracy, and Drug Conspiracy

HAMMOND- Eduardo Luciano, 31, of Hammond, Indiana, has been charged in a second superseding indictment with two murders, racketeering conspiracy, and drug conspiracy, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.

According to the second superseding indictment, Eduardo Luciano was charged with two counts of murder resulting from the use and carrying of a firearm during and in relation to racketeering activity, racketeering conspiracy, and conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute and to distribute cocaine and marijuana.  The second superseding indictment alleges that Luciano is responsible for the shooting deaths of Lauren Calvillo and Christopher White on June 29, 2015, in Hammond, Indiana.  The second superseding indictment further alleges that the shooting was in furtherance of a racketeering conspiracy and as a result of an ongoing gang conflict between the Latin Counts and Latin Kings street gangs in Hammond, Indiana.  

Previously in this case, Latin Counts members Ivan Reyes and Jeron Williams have both pled guilty to racketeering conspiracy and admitted their involvement in and responsibility for these murders as well.  Reyes and Williams both await sentencing.

“This indictment should send a strong message that our investigations and prosecutions of individuals that participate in gang activities will not stop until all responsible are brought to justice,” said U.S. Attorney Thomas. L. Kirsch.  “Our federal, state and local law enforcement partnerships are dedicated to reducing violent crime.”

An indictment is merely an allegation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

If convicted, any specific sentence to be imposed will be determined by the judge after consideration of federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

This case is being investigated by the ATF/HIDTA Task Force and the Hammond, Indiana Police Department, and the investigation has received substantial assistance from numerous law enforcement agencies including the FBI / GRIT Task Force, the Gary Police Department, the Indiana State Police, and the East Chicago Police Department.  The case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys David J. Nozick and Caitlin M. Padula.