Its always risky for a defendant to testify in his own defense, especially in federal court. The idea that the Four Corner Hustlers is the enterprise through which all this criminal activity took place really is a fiction of the prosecution.. A criminal complaint unsealed after Betts' arrest charges the longtime West Side drug dealer and violent enforcer for the Four Corner Hustlers street gang (4CH ) with conspiracy to distribute wholesale quantities of heroin, in the Chicago West Side Austin area. Spann has a string of felony convictions dating back to 1996 that meant he wasn't lawfully allowed to handle the weapon. == Memphis.TN also.canton .MS..Houston texas. CHICAGO A Chicago man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for firearms trafficking and possession and sale of machine gun conversion devices, also known as a switches, ROCKFORD A California man was arrested on a charge of possession with intent to distribute 91 kilograms of cocaine. These are drugs that are packaged and bundled in particular ways for someone to be out there on the street selling it to customer after customer after customer.. They stated in 1970 on the west side of Chicago. | Chicago Police Department. The public is reminded that charges contain only accusations and are not evidence of guilt. In the weeks before Rangels killing, he told authorities, he told Spann that I had a lick up for somebody that had a lot of jewelry.. They allegedly dealt drugs, robbed rivals and used violence and intimidation to stop victims and witnesses from cooperating with law enforcement. All four agreed to speak with detectives and prosecutors without lawyers present. In addition to the drugs, law enforcement also seized four rifles, four handguns, a MAC-10 submachine gun, a shotgun, and more than 450 rounds of ammunition. 327 S. Church Street, Room 3300 Drug trafficking and usage of illegal substances were strictly forbidden, but shoplifting and violence were often considered an effective way to assert dominance over rival groups. Unbeknownst to the defendants, the buyer was confidentially working on behalf of law enforcement, the complaint states. An official website of the United States government. Rangel bought it. Shortly after the Four Corner Hustlers emerged, they became allied with the Vice Lords street gang, becoming a faction and adopting Vice Lord symbols and colors. Im not no angel, Im not no saint, but I aint got nothin to do with none of them murders.. | Sam Charles / Sun-Times. Prosecutors alleged Spann took over the reins of the gang after he was shot and paralyzed in 1999, using murder to elevate the gangs reputation for ruthlessness as well as his own street cred. He testified similarly when asked about Rangels killing, saying he had no idea who the Latin Kings boss even was when he heard Rangel had been shot. "We leveraged our resources and conducted a thorough investigation which led to multiple arrests and seizures," said Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent-In-Charge Angie Salazar. Rudy Kato Rangel Jr., the Latin Kings gang leader who was shot to death on June 4, 2003. In May 2003, Nunnery got in touch with a guy named Marcus Ware, who hung around the barbershop at Roosevelt and Sacramento and had two drug convictions and one on a weapons charge. A sweeping 2017 indictment tied the Four Corner Hustlers to six killings between 2000 and 2003. Wiki User. 'One code I respect gangster': Four Corner Hustlers leader continues Spann has previously been acquitted of Rangel's murder and is already facing serious time in federal prison. Donell said no words were exchanged, he just began firing the pistol at dude, a detective wrote after questioning Simmons. Sentencing Guidelines. Thats why my name Bro Man. I do what I want.. CHICAGO A high-level member of the Four Corner Hustlers street gang has been arrested on federal drug charges for allegedly selling wholesale quantities of heroin on the West Side of Chicago. The investigation, led by Homeland Security Investigations and the Chicago Police Department, utilized extensive undercover and covert surveillance operations and resulted in the seizures of multiple kilograms of suspected heroin, some of which was laced with fentanyl, and cocaine, as well as four rifles, four handguns, a MAC-10 submachine gun, a shotgun, and more than 450 rounds of ammunition. Nunnery goes on to say that it was Squeaky, Bro Man and himself in the car but only Squeaky got out and did it. Nunnery says that the police were right there when this happened., Eight days later, the informant spoke with a man who said Nunnery tried to hire him to kill Rangel before turning to Spann. The 80s saw a further detachment of the gang from its former generals, as members engaged in even more drug trafficking and moved to other substances. The conspiracy charge is punishable by up to 40 years in prison. The Four Corner Hustlers at first were a single gang that would wear the colors black and brown. Together with the Vice Lords, Latin Kings, and Black P Stones, they were one of four dominant Chicago gangs involved in drug distribution, accounting for 84 percent of gang membership. The Four Corner Hustlers originated on Chicago's Westside in the early 1970's. The organization was founded by King Walter Wheat and Freddy "Malik" Gauge. With both heads severed off, members of the Four Corner Hustlers began mixing with heroine and other substances that their former bosses had forbidden. Lock Killing 'Kato': the story of Latin Kings boss Rudy Rangel Jr.'s murder Prosecutors identified Spann as the leader of the Four Corner Hustlers, which they've described as a group of West Side robbers, drug dealers and killers whose crimes date back to the mid-1990s . The multi-year investigation was conducted with the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) and the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force (HIDTA). Betts is also the founder and leader of an enforcement or security faction of the Four Corner Hustlers known as the Body Snatchers, the complaint states. In a deal with prosecutors, hed pleaded guilty to aggravated discharge of a firearm, was sentenced to four years in prison in May 2002 and paroled from the Vandalia Correctional Center on Feb. 26, 2003. It also comes as Chicago continues to struggle to rein in gang and gun violence that has made national headlines. The bodyguard told detectives he shot at Simmons but missed, then dumped his gun in a bucket of soapy water at a car wash next to the barbershop before going back to Rangel. Even while held at the Cook County Jail, Spann who has used a wheelchair since being shot more than 15 years ago has found himself in trouble. Nunnery didnt want to just wait to hear from Ware that Rangel had shown up at the barbershop. Simmons also was charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon. Detectives found the necklace and pendant on the stairs to the barbershop. Albeit tight, the gang remained small and rather unorganized for most of the 70s. The jury, however, found prosecutors had not proven Spanns involvement beyond a reasonable doubt in two of the other five slayings charged in the indictment. (U.S. District Court). Spann, whose attorney Tod Urban didnt return messages seeking comment, already is facing as many as 70 years in prison, having pleaded guilty three months before the indictment to being a felon in possession of a weapon, obstruction of justice involving witness tampering and cocaine possession with intent to distribute. Nunnery had known Spann just a few months. Man, Shorty, dont miss him, Nunnery said. a classic track from corpus christi's 4 corner hustlers " chop chop " Ten reputed members of the Four Corner Hustlers street gang have been arrested and charged with conspiring to sell narcotics at open-air drug markets on Chicagos West Side following an undercover investigation that lasted more than a year. We recognize theres more to be done, but we will continue and stand committed to work tirelessly to protect the communities that we serve and bring those who threaten our public safety to justice.. I think were a little beyond that.. One code I respect gangster, Spann said. Spann already was planning to rob Rangel, according to Nunnery. A lock ( Betts is a high-ranking member of the gang and the only one to hold the title of Prince, according to the complaint. All three defendants were arrested Wednesday. The jury, however, found prosecutors had not proven Spann guilty of Caldwells shooting. He got probation. Spanns testimony on cross-examination has so far been much calmer and less profane than what he told the jury under direct questioning by his own attorney. | Illinois Department of Corrections. ODonovan about this incident, but asked that he be given a cigarette and water first, detectives wrote. But he denied participation in any of the killings. High-Level Chicago Gang Member Arrested On Drug Charges The federal charges, which were announced Thursday by U.S. Attorney John Lauschs office, say law enforcement officers made numerous undercover narcotics purchases at open-air drug markets in West Garfield Park between Feb. 2021 and April 2022. As his attorney took him one by one through the six killings identified in the indictment, Spann grew louder in his denials, yelling, No hell no! The 22-page document was handed down by a grand jury last week but not unsealed until several of the defendants could be arrested and brought to court. Nunnery said he, Spann and the gunman, Donell Squeaky Simmons were hired by the Conservative Vice Lords to carry out the hit and were expecting a six-figure payout. Spann, 44, faces mandatory life in prison when hes sentenced in March. The C.I. In two days on the witness stand, Spann has repeatedly admitted he was part of Chicagos West Side gang scene. Rangel married someone from the neighborhood: Valerie Gaytan, daughter of a Chicago cop. He said he decided to stay out of it because he had family on both sides. | Chicago Police Department. A detectives sketch of the Rudy Rangel Jr. murder scene. took the witness stand in his own defense, Brittney Griner arrives at 2023 Met Gala: It feels good, Serena Williams reveals second pregnancy at Met Gala, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. ), First published on September 22, 2017 / 6:34 AM. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. So did two Cook County sheriffs officers on patrol in an unmarked squad car at Roosevelt and Sacramento who reported the gunfire to the Chicago police. Their group may have been successful in the past, but had no chance to match the strength of other larger associations such as the Vice Lords or the Black Gangster Disciples. U.S. Attorney John Lausch and several of his top deputies watched the verdict via a live feed in an overflow courtroom. Judge Harjani scheduled detention hearings for Williams and Betts for Monday at 2:45 p.m. They wore the colors of black and brown and had nothing to do with the Vice Lords at that point in time. (WTTW News) Ten reputed members of the Four Corner Hustlers street gang have been arrested and charged with conspiring to sell narcotics at open-air drug markets on Chicago's West Side following an undercover investigation that lasted more than a year. They told them to not wear brown to wear Gold instead, change their names to the Four Corner Hustler Vice Lords, and sign up as a Vice Lord deck. We will continue to focus our efforts on individuals and groups who traffic dangerous drugs and prosecute those offenders in federal court., Our goal is for law abiding residents to enjoy safety and peace in their communities, and holding these criminals accountable for their actions is a major step toward achieving that goal, said HSI SAC Salazar. Freddie Gauge, who was still in prison at the time, died while behind bars one day prior to his scheduled release. September 22, 2017 / 6:34 AM Donell Simmons cap was found on the sidewalk near Rudy Rangel Jr.s SUV. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. LoThe Four Corner Hustlers were started in the early or mid 1960s on chicago's west side. Nunnery said his job was to locate Rangel, and Spanns was to get someone to rob him. In 1967 the Apaches beat 4CH. From the Vice Lords, to Gangster Disciples, to the Four Corner Hustlers, to the New Breeds and the Black Souls, the West Side might not have received the recognition from the media as the South Side, but within the streets of the Chicago ghetto there is little difference between either side as this section of the city is the birthplace of At the start of his interview, Mr. In a risky move, Spann took the witness stand in his own defense and repeatedly admitted he was an old-school gangster whom others turned to for help and treated with respect. Rangel was headed somewhere else that day when he called a friend from prison who told him he was at Nationwide for a haircut. CHICAGO A Chicago man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for firearms trafficking and possession and sale of machine gun conversion devices, also known as a switches, ROCKFORD A California man was arrested on a charge of possession with intent to distribute 91 kilograms of cocaine. A criminal complaint filed in federal court in Chicago accuses Betts of selling or directing sales of heroin on eight occasions from December 2018 to March 2019. Spann already was in the Cook County Jail on an unrelated armed robbery charge when detectives wanted to talk with him and the others about Rangel. During the multi-year probe, law enforcement shut down three open-air drug markets in the West Garfield Park neighborhood on the West Side of Chicago. Though Simmons and two others went to prison in Rangels death, some details of the high-profile killing rapper DMX later recorded a tribute to Rangel called AYo Kato never came out. Labar Spann, a member of the Four Corner Hustlers street gang, seen in a social media image. In fact, Spann who prosecutors say is a member of the Four Corner Hustlers has faced charges in highly publicized cases before and been in and out of prison. All Rights Reserved. When I walked past, somebody shot me in my back, Spann said. Unfriendly - Ristorante Rodolfino since 1972 - Tripadvisor 4 CORNER HUSTLERS - CHOP CHOP - YouTube In his closing argument last week, Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Storino reminded jurors of the reluctant testimony of some of the cooperators, noting how you could see the fear in the faces of the witnesses.. Analysis I. The feds say the Four Corner Hustlers also spent decades from the mid-1990s until this year committing robberies, extortion and batteries. The Four Corner Hustlers symbols are all adopted from the Vice Lords, and include the cane (strength), tophat (shelter), dice (hustling), dollar sign (money), playboy bunny (swiftness), martini glass (celebration), and white gloves (purity). That well-earned reputation for frankness continued Wednesday in a federal courtroom, where Spann was being cross-examined by prosecutors in his trial on racketeering charges alleging his conspired with others to commit six gangland murders from 2000 to 2003. Detectives told Simmons they were matching evidence to those involved and had DNA. When Angelo Roberts, a young but ambitious member of the Four Corner Hustlers street gang, was released from prison in June, he was ready to take on two powerful forces, investigators say. Earlier in his direct testimony, Spann, 44, spent more than an hour giving jurors a graphic picture of gang life on Chicagos West Side in the 1990s, including his time running security for older gang members, his rise through the ranks, and a war that broke out between factions that ended with him being shot and paralyzed in 1999. Nunnery was convicted of murder and given 36 years in prison. Eric Carter of the Chicago Police Department. If convicted, the Court must impose reasonable sentences under federal sentencing statutes and the advisory U.S. Nunnery said he carried Spann to the porch of a nearby home, saw a car heading north on Whipple, recognized the driver and flagged him down. Donell Squeaky Simmons. After an eight-week trial, the jury deliberated for about 15 hours over three days before finding Labar Spann guilty of racketeering conspiracy. This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. Shortly after the Four Corner Hustlers emerged, they became allied with the Vice Lords street gang, becoming a faction and adopting Vice Lord symbols and colors. Courthouse since the leaders of the Hobos gang were convicted four years ago. Among the homicides charged in the indictment was the 2000 slaying of Carlos Caldwell, who Spann believed had shot and paralyzed him six months earlier. Days later, Ware said he heard on the street that Kato had ripped some Mexicans off for some dope and that they paid someone to kill him. That group includes 24-year-old Jarelle Jones of Forest Park and Chicagoans Marquis Jones, 29, Joseph Williams, 31, and Dornell Williams, 34. 2014-05-14 22:47:03. In October 2008, Simmons was convicted of murder, aggravated battery with a firearm and conspiracy to commit murder. Ristorante Rodolfino since 1972: Unfriendly - See 529 traveler reviews, 205 candid photos, and great deals for Stockholm, Sweden, at Tripadvisor. Rangel fell, and Simmons said he kept firing, also hitting the barber in the right foot and the bodyguard in his left hand. | Chicago Police Department. Labar Bro Man Spann. The drug conspiracy charge is punishable by up to life in federal prison. The shootout took place Friday morning between two factions of the Four Corner Hustlers gang the "Body Snatchers" and the "Jack Boys" at a single-family home in Austin, a community of Chicago's West Side. Late that May, Ware, Nunnery and Spann picked up Simmons at his West Side home, according to a prosecutors report. 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