Hiluterio Chavez, Racketeering Conspiracy, Indiana 2011

Hiluterio Chavez, 41, also known as ‘Tails’ and ‘Zeus,’ of Chicago, has been charged with racketeering conspiracy in Indiana.

Chavez is one of 15 alleged members or associates of the Almighty Latin Kings and Queen Nation (Latin Kings) who have been indicted for their alleged roles in a racketeering conspiracy in Hammond, Ind., and elsewhere. The 15-count third superseding indictment was returned by the federal grand jury on November 16, 2011, and unsealed today in Hammond.

The indictment alleges that members of the Latin Kings across the Midwestern United States engaged in a years-long pattern of violence, including numerous murders, to control their territory and fund their illicit activities. The indictment also alleges that two Chicago police officers assisted the Latin Kings in carrying out their crimes.

The following individuals are charged and named in the third superseding indictment:

Hiluterio Chavez, 41, aka ‘Tails,’ and ‘Zeus,’ of Chicago;
Sergio Robles, 23, aka ‘Checko,’ of Hammond;
Emiliano Esparza, 40, aka ‘Ken Milleano,’ ‘Kent,’ and ‘Double G,’ of Chicago;
Paulino Salazar, 29, aka ‘Chino,’ of Chicago;
Santiago Gudino, 27, aka ‘Creeper,’ of Hammond;
Gabriel Jalomos, 24, aka ‘Sneaky,’ of Chicago;
Oscar Gonzalez, 21, aka ‘Puppet,’ of Hammond;
David Lira, 38, aka ‘Flaco,’ of Lansing, Ill.;
Victor Meza Jr., 23, aka ‘Shadow,’ of Hammond;
Antonio Gudino, 30, aka ‘Chronic,’ of Indiana;
Bianca Fernandez, 22, of Chicago;
Serina Arambula, 22, of Chicago;
Alex Guerrero, 41, of Chicago;
Antonio C. Martinez Jr., 40, of Chicago.

The indictment alleges that the Latin Kings gang was responsible for at least 19 murders, including juveniles and one pregnant woman, in the Chicago/Northwest Indiana area and Big Spring, Texas. In one instance, Bernal, Santiago Gudino, Robles, Jalomos, and others allegedly caused Jonathan Zimmerman to be transported to Hammond and then murdered him.

Nine individuals were taken into custody today and made their initial appearances before U.S. Magistrate Judge Andrew P. Rodovich in federal court in Hammond. Nine individuals, including three newly charged in the third superseding indictment, already were in the custody of law enforcement and will be arraigned before Judge Rodovich on a later date. Salazar and Lira are considered fugitives.

This case is the result of a regional cooperative federal-local law enforcement effort. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lanny A. Breuer and U.S. Attorney David Capp.

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