12 charged in Aurora-area drug, gang probe
A two-year gang and drug investigation in the Aurora area resulted in state and federal narcotics charges against 12 people, 10 in custody and two at-large, authorities said Tuesday.
“Operation Fallen Angel” targeted known and suspected members of the Manic Latin Disciples gang and their drug distribution activities.
The 12 people charged are accused of distributing mixtures containing cocaine base in the form of crack cocaine in Aurora and nearby communities, according to the FBI.
Three men were arrested Sept. 26 and 27 by FBI agents and Aurora police: Timothy D. Hill, 28, of the 800 block of North Gladstone Avenue, Aurora; Markus D. Russell, 23, of the 400 block of Iowa Avenue, Aurora; and Vernon L. Turner, 38, of the 1800 block of Thornapple Way, Aurora.
Hill and Russell are charged with knowingly and intentionally distributing a controlled substance, a felony. Turner is charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance, also a felony.
Six people have been charged with state drug offenses, and two of them — Armando Gallardo, 21, and Deanna Jones, 42 — already were in custody before being charged in connection with “Operation Fallen Angel.” Gallardo and Jones were known to reside in the Aurora area before being taken into custody on unrelated charges, according to the FBI.
The four others charged with state offenses in “Operation Fallen Angel” are Daniel James, 55, of the 400 block of North Lake Street, Aurora; Sedrick E. Jones, 35, of the 1700 block of Deer Run Drive, Montgomery; Eugene A. Pryor Jr., 23, of the 1700 block of Deer Run Drive, Montgomery; and Lakisha S. Carter, 28, of the 100 block of Harbor Drive, Aurora.
One other man from the Aurora area, Sean R. Parker Jr., 23, already was in custody on unrelated charges and will appear in federal court, according to the FBI.
The FBI, Aurora and Montgomery police, the Kane and Kendall counties state’s attorney’s offices, the U.S. State’s Attorney’s Office and the Illinois State Police North Central Narcotics Task Force conducted “Operation Fallen Angel” through undercover operations and court-authorized electronic telephone surveillance.
The two individuals who have been charged but remain at-large are Steve A. Langston, 20, of the 1300 block of Cottonwood Drive, Aurora; and Ajaie M. Martin, 29, of the 2400 block of Marigold Court, Aurora.
Anyone who has information about the fugitives is asked to contact the FBI at (312) 421-6700 or Aurora police at (630) 256-5000.