Three alleged members of a Chicago street gang have been charged in a federal indictment with planning to commit many murders and carjackings around the city and suburbs, the United States Attorney’s Office announced Wednesday.
A second superseding indictment filed in U.S. District Court accuses Edson Resendez, 23; Maverick Cela, 24; and Prezila Apreza, 24, of carrying out the violent acts as part of their association with the Spanish Gangster Disciples, a criminal organization based on Chicago’s Northwest Side.
Prosecutors say Cela is one of the gang’s leaders.
The indictment claims that over a two-week period in 2020, the trio and other gang members were involved in three killings, two attempted murders, four carjackings, one attempted carjacking, and an arson.
What they’re saying: “Combating the unacceptable level of gang violence in the Chicago area has been and will continue to be a top priority in our Office,” said U.S. Attorney Boutros. “As I mark my first 30 days as the United States Attorney, I want to emphasize that we are using every available federal law enforcement tool to bring impactful cases that hold violent gang members accountable and reduce violent crime.”
“The FBI is committed to eradicating neighborhood street gangs and the violence unleashed in our communities,” said FBI Chicago SAC DePodesta. “This investigation is just one of many cases worked by FBI Chicago’s Violent Crime Task Force along with our dedicated Task Force Officers (TFOs) and local law enforcement partners. We remain united in using all available resources to ensure that groups like these can no longer harm Chicago’s residents.”
What’s next: All three suspects remain in detention. The new charges have yet to be scheduled for arraignment.
