The charges together encompass seven separate drug transactions that occurred between March and October this year in which each defendant allegedly sold approximately an ounce or more of crack cocaine to an individual who was cooperating with law enforcement at the time and made audio and video recordings of most of the transactions and related conversations.

All four defendants were arrested last week on criminal complaints and remain in federal custody without bond. Each was indicted separately today by a federal grand jury, announced Patrick J. Fitzgerald, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; Robert D. Grant, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Office of the FBI; and Jody P. Weis, Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department.

Each of the crack deals occurred in a roughly five-square-block area on the city’s south side known as “Terror Town.”

According to the complaint affidavits, Terror Town is bounded by 75th and 79th avenues and Yates and Colfax streets, and the Black P Stone Nation largely controls drug trafficking in the area, although other gangs also operate within those boundaries.

The defendants are brothers, Randy Smith, 31, also known as “Renegade,” and Herman Smith, 26, aka “Corky;” a man believed to be their cousin, Michael Smith, 33, aka, “One Eyed Mike;” and Timothy Moses, 25, all of Chicago.

Their arraignments have not yet been scheduled in U.S. District Court.

According to the complaints, the cooperating confidential source (CS1) was at one time a member of the Black P Stone gang. The charges allege that CS1 first purchased approximately 28 grams (one ounce) of crack from Herman Smith on March 5, 2009, for $1,125, and then purchased approximately 59 grams of crack from him a week later for $3,300.

Randy Smith allegedly sold approximately two ounces of crack to CS1 on two occasions, April 20 and May 6, each time “shorting” CS1 approximately an ounce of crack in what was supposed to be a delivery of three ounces for $3,000.

Michael Smith allegedly sold CS1 slightly less than an ounce of crack on Aug. 27 for $1,800, shorting CS1 approximately an ounce in the deal, the charges allege.

In a series of recorded telephone conversations, Michael Smith expressed suspicion that CS1 was cooperating with law enforcement, according to the complaint against him.

He allegedly left CS1 a threatening voice mail message advising that if CS1 was working with “them peoples” [law enforcement] he would “blow [his/her] shit up,” according to the affidavit.

Moses allegedly sold approximately two ounces of crack to CS1 on two occasions, June 17 and Oct. 1, each time for approximately $2,000.

The government is being represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Marny Zimmer and Stephen Rotter.

The charges against Randy and Herman Smith and Moses carry a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life imprisonment without parole and a maximum fine of $4 million.

Michael Smith faces a mandatory minimum of 5 years in prison and a maximum of 40 years and a $2 million fine.

The Court, however, would impose a sentence it deems reasonable under the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines.

The public is reminded that criminal charges 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.

MEDIA CONTACT:

United States Attorney’s Office, 312-353-5300
Northern District of Illinois

Four Alleged Black P Stone Nation Gang Members Charged With Selling Crack Cocaine in South Side Area Known as “Terror Town” | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.