Investigation Leads to Weapons or Drug Charges Against 12 Individuals

Twelve individuals are facing federal or state charges in connection with their alleged roles in the distribution of narcotics or firearms in the Chicago area. The investigation that led to the charges, dubbed Operation Devil’s Playground, targeted narcotics and weapons trafficking by alleged members and associates of the Satan Disciples street gang on the southwest side of Chicago. The defendants face firearms charges or drug charges. The various drug charges include distribution of powder cocaine, crack cocaine, and methamphetamine.

The charges and yesterday’s arrests were announced by Robert D. Grant, Special Agent in Charge of the Chicago Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); Garry F. McCarthy, Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department (CPD); Patrick J. Fitzgerald, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; and Anita Alvarez, Cook County State’s Attorney. The investigation, which began in 2009, was a joint effort of the FBI’s Joint Task Force on Gangs, which is composed of special agents of the FBI, CPD members, and CPD’s Gang Investigations Division, Narcotics Division, and Area 1 Gun Team. The investigation was conducted under the umbrella of the U.S. Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), with assistance provided by the Chicago High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force.

The arrests took place yesterday at various locations around the Chicago area, and all were taken into custody without incident. Five separate federal criminal complaints were unsealed in U.S. District Court following the execution of arrest warrants. In addition, seven separate criminal complaints were filed in state court.

Operation Devil’s Playground was initiated to disrupt the trafficking of drugs and weapons by members of the Satan Disciples street gang that operates on the southwest side of Chicago. Much of the activity that led to yesterday’s charges occurred in and around the intersection of 59th and Richmond Streets. To date, the investigation has resulted in the recovery of 11 firearms, various types of firearms ammunition, and more than $15,000. The investigators made extensive use of controlled and undercover narcotics and weapons purchases, sophisticated physical surveillance, and court-authorized electronic surveillance as part of this ongoing effort to identify and bring to justice those responsible for illegally supplying narcotics and firearms to Chicago’s criminal element.

In addition to those charged yesterday, Juan Solis, age 29, of Chicago, an alleged active member of the Satan Disciples, was charged in February 2, 2012 by federal criminal complaint with distributing methamphetamine.

Mr. Grant praised the coordinated efforts of all those involved in this latest joint enforcement action to combat the problem of drugs and violence in our communities. He stated, “Let these arrests serve as a reminder to those that continue to engage in drug and gun dealing. We will persevere in our efforts to make our streets safe for law-abiding residents. They deserve to go about their lives without the fear of violence.”

“The success of this operation is the direct result of our local and federal partnerships,” said Superintendent McCarthy. “Guns, gangs, and drugs, and the violence they cause, have no place in our communities. Together, we are making our neighborhoods safer for the residents who live, work, and play throughout Chicago.”

Those arrested on federal charges were identified as Ranulfo Valadares, age 30, of Chicago, aka “Speedy”; Luis Castaneda, age 29, of Berwyn; and Jaime Reyes, age 35, of Chicago. Refugio Avila, age 31, also of Chicago, aka “Fugi,” was also charged and is in custody. One additional federal defendant, Juan Castaneda, age 27, of Chicago, was not located and is the subject of a manhunt. If convicted of the charges against them, Valadares and Juan Castaneda face a possible sentence ranging from 10 years to life in prison, Reyes and Avila face a possible maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, and Luis Castaneda faces a possible maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

Valadares, Luis Castaneda, and Reyes appeared in U.S. District Court in Chicago yesterday, at which time they were formally charged. They remain in custody pending their next court appearances later this week. Avila is scheduled to appear on May 11, 2012, to be formally charged.

State charges were filed against the following: Gerardo Gomez, age 22; Myra Perez, age 25; Sergio Banderas, age 29; Steven Buegel, age 32; Lawrence Winston, age 35; and Marcus Gordon, age 28; and Jessie Talavera, age 23, all residents of Chicago. Those charged in state court appeared at the Cook County Criminal Courthouse, at which time they were formally charged. Additional information regarding the results of the state court appearances is available from the State’s Attorney’s Office at 312-603-3423.

The United States is being represented in court by Assistant United States Attorneys Erik A. Hogstrom and Stephanie Zimdahl. The State of Illinois is being represented by Assistant States Attorney Daniel Fahlgren.

The public is reminded that criminal complaints are not evidence of guilt and that all defendants in a criminal case are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Copies of the federal criminal complaints filed in this case are available from the Chicago FBI’s Press Office at (312) 829-1199. Copies of the criminal complaints filed in state court are available from the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office at (312) 603-1839.