U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Indiana David Capp announced a third superseding Indictment charging eight additional persons alleged to be members of the Imperial Gangsters street gang, in a 41-count indictment unsealed on Friday.

“With this indictment we have now charged 23 members of the Imperial Gangsters,” Capp said. “The indictments allege 12 murders and eight attempted murders. The Imperial Gangsters is an ongoing criminal enterprise and we will continue our efforts until all members are off the streets. ”

Count 1 charges the following new defendants with conspiracy to participate in racketeering activity and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and 100 kilograms or more of marijuana:

•Salvador Chavez, 33, of Chicago.

•Raymond Campos, 28, of East Chicago.

•Ace Cortez, 33, of East Chicago.

•Julian Guillermo Serna, 23, of Munster.

•Julius Solis, 23, of East Chicago.

•Darmaile Cortez Sutton, 29, of East Chicago.

•Eddie Torres, 42, of East Chicago.

•Richard Reyes, 40, East Chicago.

The following individuals were previously indicted and the charges remain pending: Juan Briseno, Justin Weaver, Michael Anthony Castillo, Jason Medina, Edward Raye Serna, Robert Lockhart, Armando Jose Velasquez, and Anthony Baldazo.

This conspiracy count alleges that the Imperial Gangsters committed these offenses from 2002 to 2012.

Friday’s indictment alleges five additional homicides not alleged in previous indictments:

•The homicide of Anuar David Paez on or about July 24, 2004, in East Chicago, allegedly committed by Ace Cortez.

•The homicide of Guadalupe Trevino on or about July 24, 2005, in Gary, allegedly committed by Jason Medina.

•The homicide of Rene Alonzo on or about September 16, 2007, in East Chicago, allegedly committed by Richard Reyes.

•The homicide of Luis Ortiz on or about September 26, 2007, in Hammond. allegedly committed by Juan Briseno.

•The homicide of Mario Soriano on or about March 25, 2008, in Hammond, allegedly committed by Julian Guillermo.

The indictment also alleges four additional attempted homicides not previously charged:

•Juan Briseno allegedly attempted to murder three individuals on or about June 3, 2008, on Feb. 20, 2009, and on Aug. 2, 2009.

•Julius Solis allegedly attempted to murder an individual on or about March 28, 2009.

Seven persons previously indicted have entered guilty pleas: Galo Benjamin Feliciano, Guillermo Briseno, Alejandro Balboa Lara, Kevin Beltran, David Almaraz, Joseph Rene Torres, and Alejandro Briseno.

This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the East Chicago Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Gary Police Department, the Hammond Police Department, and the Lake County HIDTA.

Posted 11/12/2012