Elgin gang member gets 22 years in Carpentersville shooting

A Elgin gang member received a 22-year prison term Friday for his role in a drive-by shooting in March 2009 in Carpentersville.

A Kane County jury in October convicted Leopoldo Cantu Jr., 24, of the 1600 block of Alison Drive, of armed violence, two counts of aggravated discharge of a firearm and three counts of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon.

The most serious charge carried a maximum 30-year term.

No one was injured in the March 20 shooting in the 700 block of Southwind Drive, but Judge Allen Anderson said the long sentence was needed to show such violence will not be tolerated.

Cantu was the front seat passenger in an SUV traveling in the 700 block of Southwind when gang signs were flashed with rival gang members in the front yard of a home.

Cantu and two other men drove by again, flashed more signs and Julio Chavez, 22, who was in the back seat, showed his handgun.

The vehicle returned for another pass, with Cantu opening fire and hitting two vehicles. The men were arrested about two miles from the scene and a slug in a fence was matched to Cantu's gun.

Chavez, of the 200 block of Riversview Drive, Carpentersville, is due in court on Dec. 14 and the driver, Miguel Munoz, 24, of the 700 block of Southwind, is due in court on Wednesday.