One of Chicago's dominant Italian community get shot up and not by Al Capone's mob but by some African Monkey with a gun

Two people were shot this morning on the Far South Side including one who is reportedly in "extremely critical'' condition.

It happened at 10:23 a.m. at 111^th Street and Edbrooke Avenue, according to police News Affairs Office Laura Kubiak.

One victim was shot in the chest and taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn while the other person remained on the scene being treated after suffering gunshot wounds to both arms, Kubiak said.

Fire Department spokesman Larry Langford said one person taken in "extremely critical'' condition to Christ while the other was in critical condition.

Sarge's updates: I 57 Update

Two people were wounded after shots were exchanged between two cars on Interstate 57 near the Cal-Sag Channel early this morning, police say.

The victims drove themselves to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where they were treated and released, police said.

Police were questioning them and four other people, according to authorities, who could not say what prompted the shooting or whether the people in both cars knew each other.

"Those involved in the shooting are not being cooperative," said Illinois State Police spokeswoman Monique Bond.

Motorists called 911 around 2:10 a.m. and said people in a white Audi and a Nissan were “shooting at each other back and forth" near 147th Street on I-57, said Chicago District Master Sgt. Devin Stokes.

Troopers arriving on the scene found the Audi stopped at the side of expressway and four people standing nearby. They were taken into custody and brought to the Blue Island police station for questioning, officials said.

The two victims were taken in the Nissan to the hospital. They were also being questioned but were also being uncooperative, Bond said. No charges have been filed.

Officials said there was a minor collision involving two cars that pulled over during the shooting.

“Traffic came to a stop and the (driver) pulled over to avoid getting shot at,’’ Stokes said. "That vehicle rear-ended another vehicle."

1 single monkey shot 9 from Englewood to South Chicago

Nine people were shot Thursday night and Friday morning, according to police, including two teens and three men in separate attacks in the Englewood and West Englewood neighborhoods.

A 20-year-old was shot in the 5100 block of South Archer Avenue about 2:25 a.m., Chicago Police News Affairs Officer Ron Gaines said. He's in good condition at Advocate Christ Medical Center with a wounded arm. The man was in a vehicle handling a weapon when it discharged, striking him in the abdomen.

An 18-year-old standing in the 4000 block of West Wilcox Street was grazed in the foot after someone started shooting about 2:10 a.m., police said. He realized he was shot, ran home and called police. He's in good condition at Mount Sinai Hospital.

A 24-year-old man was shot in the arm and is in good condition at John H. Stroger Jr., Hospital of Cook County, Gaines said. He walked into the hospital with the wound and told police he was shot on the 1100 block of West 63rd Street in the Englewood neighborhood about 1:50 a.m., Gaines said.

A man arrived at Mount Sinai Hospital about midnight with a gunshot wound to the lower back, Gaines said. He either drove himself, or was dropped off, police said, and he's in guarded condition. Someone shot him just before midnight on the 800 block of North Monticello Avenue, Gaines said, citing early reports.

A 17-year-old boy who was shot in the abdomen is in good condition at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Gaines said. He was shot in the 8900 block of South Houston Avenue in the South Chicago neighborhood about 9:50 p.m. Police said the victim was uncooperative, telling officers "I ain't telling you (expletive)" and "getting shot ain't (expletive)," according to an officer reading from the report. The boy was shot above the buttocks and the bullet exited through his abdomen, near the left side of his belly button, police said.

Another boy, 17, was shot in the 2300 block West of 66th Street about 9:45 p.m., police said. He then walked south on Oakley Avenue and asked someone to call police. He’s in good condition at Holy Cross but not cooperating with investigators, police said.

About a half hour later, a 44-year-old man was shot in the back in the 6600 block of South May Street. He's in serious condition at St. Bernard Hospital, Chicago Police News Affairs Officer Ron Gaines said. Police aren't sure why the man was shot.

Another man, 48, was shot in the leg about 10:45 p.m. near 71st and Halsted streets, Gaines said, citing early reports. He's in good condition at Advocate Christ Medical Center. The man told police he didn't see anything.

Police said a 15-year-old was shot about 5:10 p.m. near 72nd and Wood streets. He told police he was standing in the block when someone started shooting. He was shot in the writst.

Illinois state Police stated 2 people were shot on I57 today

 

Two people were shot and wounded on Interstate 57 early this morning, according to Illinois State Police.

The shooting occurred in the northbound lanes of the expressway near the Cal-Sag Channel, police said. They were taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center, where their conditions were stable.

Investigators were checking cars for evidence at the scene, police said.



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Cook County not only has corrupt politics but So does the sheriff's office Deputy Lawrence A. Draus,, also known as “Larry,” 62, of Lansing, a Sheriff’s Police officer who was assigned to the Special Operations Division, Vice Unit, in Maywood

A press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Officeabout cigarette bootlegging offenses before the tax is increase another $1 a pack:

U.S. INDICTS 10 DEFENDANTS ARRESTED FOR ALLEGEDLY TRAFFICKING MILLIONS OF UNSTAMPED, UNTAXED CIGARETTES IN UNDERCOVER STING

CHICAGO — At an undercover warehouse in suburban Hickory Hills, defendants allegedly brought millions of dollars in cash, firearms, narcotics, and counterfeit cigarette tax stamps to purchase millions of unstamped, untaxed cigarettes from two cooperating individuals working undercover with federal agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Altogether, between March 2010 and March 2012, defendants allegedly paid more than $20 million to buy more than 100 million cigarettes without paying Cook County and State of Illinois taxes.
The investigation resulted in federal charges against more than a dozen defendants, including a veteran Cook County sheriff’s police officer.
Following their arrest on March 13, 2012, 10 of those defendants were formally charged in six indictments that were returned yesterday by a federal grand jury, while other defendants remain charged in complaints that were filed previously.

Patrick Fitzgerald

The indictments were announced by Patrick J. Fitzgerald, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; Andrew L. Traver, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Office of ATF; and Thomas M. Jankowski, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division in Chicago. The Illinois Department of Revenue and the Hickory Hills Police Department provided valuable assistance in the investigation.
“The distribution of untaxed cigarettes deprives the state and county of significant revenue and this investigation shows that we will work aggressively to ensure that those who allegedly traffic in contraband cigarettes are prosecuted,” Mr. Traver said.
According to court documents, distributors or wholesalers of cigarettes in Illinois must apply for and receive a license from the Illinois Department of Revenue.
Licensed distributors must also purchase tax stamps from the state and Cook County and affix the stamps to each pack of cigarettes that they sell, evidencing proof that the taxes have been paid.
Beginning in March 2010, two cooperating individuals (CS1 and CS2) sold unstamped cigarettes under the direction of ATF agents, and they recorded their telephone conversations and in-person meetings with their customers.
After October 2010, the vast majority of sales of unstamped cigarettes occurred at an undercover warehouse operated by ATF agents, with hidden cameras capturing audio and video recordings of meetings between CS1 and CS2 and their customers.
Between June 2011 and February, 2012, a pending criminal complaint alleges that

• Lawrence E. Draus, also known as “Eric,” 33, of Peotone, and
• his father, Lawrence A. Draus,, also known as “Larry,” 62, of Lansing, a Sheriff’s Police officer who was assigned to the Special Operations Division, Vice Unit, in Maywood

conspired to commit extortion by obtaining at least $10,000 to protect the cigarette trafficking from the warehouse.

Cigarette smoke pours out of this car.

Lawrence E. Draus, was also charged with purchasing contraband cigarettes.
Both defendants were released on bond and the charges remain pending.
The following six indictments were returned yesterday against a total of 10 defendants, all of whom were released on bond following their arrest in March and will be arraigned on later dates in U.S. District Court:
United States v. Mustafa Mohd Shaikh, 12 CR 166
Mustafa Mohd Shaikh, 47, of Tinley Park, was charged with 17 counts of trafficking contraband cigarettes, two counts of money laundering, and two counts of filing false federal income tax returns in a 21-count indictment.
Between March 2010 and February 2012, Shaikh allegedly conducted at least 66 transactions in which he paid the two cooperating individuals more than $9 million for more than 32 million unstamped cigarettes.
The indictment seek forfeiture of at least $680,000, including $600,000 that was seized when Shaikh was arrested, as well as an additional $37,200 that was seized a day later from two bank accounts and his residence, and two vehicles that were seized, a 2012 Infiniti QX56 and a 2009 Nissan Altima.
One money laundering count alleges that Shaikh attempted to illegally transfer money to Jordan, and the tax counts allege that he under-reported his total income on his 2010 and 2011 income tax returns.
United States v. Zulfiqar Alvi and John James, 12 CR 173

• Zulfiqar Alvi, 62, of Justice, was charged with four counts of trafficking contraband cigarettes and two counts of filing false federal income tax returns, and
• John James, 66, of Bourbonnais, was charged with three counts of trafficking contraband cigarettes and one count of possessing and selling counterfeit tax stamps, in an eight-count indictment.

Alvi allegedly conducted approximately 69 transactions in which he paid the two cooperating individuals more than $4 million for more than 32 million unstamped cigarettes. James allegedly conducted 11 transactions in which he paid approximately $675,000 for more than 6 million unstamped cigarettes. Alvi also allegedly under-reported his total income on his 2010 and 2011 income tax returns.
United States v. Aiman Othman, 12 CR 168
Aiman Othman, 32, of Oak Lawn, was charged with seven counts of trafficking contraband cigarettes, one count of money laundering, two counts of illegally possessing firearms as a previously convicted felon, and one count of dealing firearms without a license in an 11-count indictment. Othman allegedly conducted 44 transactions in which he paid the two cooperating individuals more than $3.4 million and provided 161 firearms in exchange for more than 23.1 million unstamped cigarettes. The indictment seeks forfeiture of approximately 161 firearms that were seized during the investigation and a 2008 Cadillac Escalade.
United States v. Firas el Matari and Ammar el Matari, 12 CR 171

• Firas el Matari, 37, and
• his brother, Ammar el Matari, 33,

both of Tinley Park, were each charged with one count of conspiracy to traffic contraband cigarettes in an 11-count indictment. Firas el Matari was also charged with seven counts of trafficking contraband cigarettes and one count of possessing and selling counterfeit tax stamps, while Ammar el Matari was also charged with six counts of trafficking contraband cigarettes. Together, they allegedly conducted approximately 25 transactions in which they paid more than $3.3 million for more than 23 million unstamped cigarettes.

A DuPage County gas station advertises lower taxes than in Cook County.

United States v. Mohammad al Sakhleh and Mahmoud al Qaisi, 12 CR 170

• Mohammad Al Sakhleh, 27, of Merced, Calif., and
• Mahmoud Al Qaisi, 41, of Justice,

were each charged with one count of conspiracy to traffic contraband cigarettes in a five-count indictment. Al Sakhleh was also charged with one count each of trafficking contraband cigarettes and money laundering, while Al Qaisi was also charged with two counts of trafficking contraband cigarettes. The charges allege that Al Sakhleh obtained contraband cigarettes bearing counterfeit New York and New Jersey tax stamps, and that Al Qaisi would find buyers for the cigarettes. Together, they allegedly purchased approximately 3.6 million cigarettes for more than $450,000. The indictment seeks forfeiture of $100,000 that was seized when they were arrested, as well as an additional $159,000 from Al Sakhleh in alleged money laundering proceeds.
United States v. Victoria Jaber and Chadia Abueid, 12 CR 172

• Victoria Jaber, 30, of Chicago, and
• Chadia Abueid, 32, of Chicago,

were each charged with one count of conspiracy to traffic contraband cigarettes in a 13-count indictment. Jaber was also charged with five counts of trafficking contraband cigarettes, two counts of possessing and selling counterfeit tax stamps, and four counts of distributing cocaine, while Abueid was also charged with four counts of trafficking contraband cigarettes and three counts of possessing and selling counterfeit tax stamps. Together, Jaber and Abueid allegedly conducted 26 transactions in which they paid $291,000 for more than 2.8 million unstamped cigarettes. They also exchanged approximately 100,000 counterfeit tax stamps for contraband cigarettes, which they resold for a profit, the charges allege. Jaber also allegedly distributed a total of approximately 4.9 kilograms of cocaine to one of the cooperating individuals.
The government is being represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sunil R. Harjani, Christopher T. Grohman, and Scott V. Bruner.
The charges in these cases carry the following maximum penalties on each count:

• conspiracy and trafficking contraband cigarettes — five years in prison and a $250,000 fine;
• possessing and selling counterfeit tax stamps — 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine;
• money laundering — different statutes carry a maximum of either 20 years in prison and a $500,000 fine, or 10 years and a $250,000 fine, and both provide for an alternative fine totaling twice the amount of the funds involved in the transaction;
• filing a false federal income tax return — three years in prison and a $250,000 fine. In addition, a defendant convicted of tax offenses faces mandatory costs of prosecution and remains civilly liable to the Government for any and all back taxes, as well as a potential civil fraud penalty of up to 75 percent of the underpayment plus interest; and
• distribution of cocaine — mandatory minimum of five years and a maximum of 40 years in prison and a maximum fine of $5 million.

If convicted, the Court must impose a reasonable sentence under federal statutes and the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines.
The public is reminded that indictments and complaints contain only charges and are not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and are entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

DUI driver slams in to police in the Harrison area

A speeding, intoxicated motorist drove past a police station – almost crashing into a squad car -- and then tried to give an officer $5,000 to let him go this week on the West Side, police said today.

Martin Johnson was charged with bribery, driving while under the influence and driving with a revoked license, according to Harrison District police Lt. John Andrews.

Johnson, 34, of the 4200 block of West Jackson Boulevard, was also cited with several traffic violations after Tuesday's arrest. Johnson was expected to appear in court today but bond information was not immediately available.

An officer couldn’t help but notice Johnson because he was westbound on Harrison at a high rate of speed near the police station in the 3100 block of West Harrison Street about 5 p.m. Tuesday.

The officer was pulling out of the station’s parking lot and saw Johnson cross the center line and nearly plow into his squad car before taking a right onto northbound Kedzie Avenue, according to a police report.

Pursuing officers apparently lost track of the vehicle but it was stopped about a mile and a half away in the 700 block of North Kedzie Avenue after a flash message with the car’s description was broadcast over police radio, the report said.

As officers asked him to produce his license, he appeared incoherent and officers smelled alcohol on his breath, according to the report.

Johnson had “bloodshot, glassy eyes,’’ slurred speech, and had trouble keeping his balance while leaning on his vehicle for support, the report said.

After refusing to take a field sobriety test, Johnson allegedly tried to bribe an officer, saying: “I’ll give you ($5,000) if you let me go,’’ the report said.

A clear plastic water bottle containing liquid suspected to be alcohol was recovered from the car during a search, police said.

Man sues the City of Chicago for wrongful imprisionment

A man sent to prison for murder 21 years ago, then released last fall after a key witness recanted, accuses Chicago police in a lawsuit of manipulating the witness and falsifying evidence.

“Jacques Rivera has suffered a grave injustice at the hands of Chicago police," attorney Locke Bowman said today in announcing the lawsuit. “This is a pattern within the Chicago Police Department."

Rivera, a former Latin King, was convicted of killing 16-year-old Felix Valentin during a summer of rising violence among warring street gangs in Chicago's West Humboldt Park neighborhood in 1988.

The state's only witness was 12 at the time of the murder. Orlando Lopez testified he was hiding in an alcove about 25 feet away when he saw Rivera fire shots into Valentin's parked car, then turn toward him and look in his direction.

Judge Michael Close convicted Rivera of the murder and sentenced him to 80 years in prison.

Rivera's lawyers with Northwestern University's Center on Wrongful Convictions tracked down Lopez in 2010. He recanted his testimony, swearing in an affidavit that he tried to notify police and prosecutors before Rivera's trial that he had identified the wrong individual but that they wouldn't listen.

Last month, Judge Neera Walsh ruled that Lopez's recantation was credible and ordered a new trial for Rivera. Cook County prosecutors then decided not to retry Rivera and he was released from jail last October.

According to the suit, Lopez was unable to identify anyone as Valentin’s assailant during the first line-up that included Rivera. The suit claims that no police record was made of this line-up and, instead, "detectives falsified records to show that Lopez had not viewed the line-up."

Lopez later encountered the "actual shooter in his neighborhood," according to the suit. Lopez told police but they "proceeded to pressure and manipulate the 12-year-old boy into falsely identifying Rivera," the suit contends.

"Simply releasing Mr. Rivera from prison has not made him whole for all that he has suffered,” said Jon Loevy, another attorney for Rivera. “He deserves compensation for the injustice that cost him so much of his life.”