Jan 14, 2009 1:59 pm US/Central
7 Charged For Drug Sales In Housing Project
CHICAGO (Sun-Times Media Wire) ―
Six people wanted for their part in a drug distribution ring in and around a North Side housing project were rounded up by FBI agents and Chicago police in pre-dawn raids on Wednesday. A seventh eluded authorities and is the subject of a nationwide manhunt.
All seven were charged in six separate criminal complaints filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Chicago with violations of federal drug laws, specifically distribution of a controlled substance or conspiracy, according to a release from the FBI.
According to the complaints, the defendants, known or suspected members of various gangs, were involved in the wholesale distribution of cocaine and/or crack cocaine to other gang members and residents of the Lathrop Homes at Clybourn and Diversey.
The two-year investigation, "Operation Lathrop Homes," was conducted jointly by the FBI and CPD Gang Intelligence Section, the release said. It relied heavily on undercover operatives and the controlled purchase of illicit drugs, and resulted in the recovery of more than 900 grams of crack cocaine, 100 grams of powder cocaine, wholesale quantities of marijuana and several handguns.
Six of those charged were arrested Wednesday without incident by FBI Special Agents and Chicago Police officers, the release said. Bryan "B" Campbell of 6423 N. Claremont, avoided capture and is now the subject of a manhunt.
Those arrested today, according to the release, are:
-- Charles Jackson, 30, aka "Charlie Man," of 2900 N. Clybourn.
-- Tyreese Wilburton, 29, aka "Fly," of 2888 N. Clybourn.
-- Ernest Jones, 37, aka "Top Dog," of 517 N. Princeton, Villa Park.
-- Parris L. Harris, 28, of 1365 N. Hudson.
-- John Crafton, 29, "Main," of 5832 W. North Ave.
-- Gerald Pittman, 22, aka "Shorty," of 5024 W. Adams.
They were scheduled to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Martin Ashman on Wednesday afternoon.
If convicted, each faces five years to life in prison.
Earlier Wednesday, the FBI announced that an eighth person had been charged, but later determined Lakiah Daniels, 29, of 907 Mohawk, was not the person targeted by the investigation. She has been released and charges dropped.
(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2009. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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