Chicago gangs

Four Corner Hustler chief's conviction threatened by revelation from feds

The judge presiding over the case of Labar “Bro Man” Spann said prosecutors made an “extraordinary” disclosure about a sentencing promise made by one of their former colleagues.

By Jon Seidel

A large group of family members and supporters hold balloons outside in front of homes, as more balloons are clustered in bunches and priests wearing black and white vestments are on hand to lead prayers.

News

Back of the Yards mass shooting victims Ariana Molina, others mourned at vigil

Eleven people were shot in an attack Saturday at a family celebration and 9-year-old Ariana was killed. Relatives pushed back on online reports that they were involved in gangs.

By Cindy Hernandez

Atty. Gen. Merrick Garland speaks in Chicago Wednesday.

Crime

Attorney General Merrick Garland, in Chicago, announces $78 million in federal grants for violence prevention

Merrick Garland said the new funding represents a “doubling down” by the Justice Department for programs that began two years ago to counter a surge in gun violence.

By Andy Grimm

Until the Sun-Times sued, Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart’s office refused to release records regarding an investigation by his agency, the FBI and the Chicago Police Department into possible COVID-19 relief fraud by Cook County Jail detainees.

In twist on PPP, other COVID-19 relief fraud, recordings show Cook County Jail detainees claimed to reap tens of thousands of dollars

By Frank Main

Rodney “Hot Rod” Phillips (third from right), with Deputy Chief Jon Hein of the Chicago Police Department on New Year’s Eve in downtown Chicago. Phillips and his anti-violence workers were helping keep teenagers from fighting.

The Watchdogs

Ex-Chicago gang leader’s third chance gets him an invitation to the White House

Rodney “Hot Rod” Phillips is a former Black Disciples member featured in “The Interrupters,” a documentary about felons hired to intervene in conflicts. But he wound up back in prison. “When I came home, I rededicated myself back to the work,” he says. “The flame was lit.”

By Frank Main

Fort Campbell, home of the U.S. Army 101st Airborne Division and other units. The installation straddles the Kentucky–Tennessee border between Hopkinsville, Kentucky, and Clarksville, Tennessee.

Chicago gangs

Soldier who sold guns used by Chicago gang members in 2 mass shootings pleads guilty

Guns trafficked from Tennessee in late 2021 and early 2022 by Brandon Miller and his Army crew were linked to least eight killings, authorities say.

By Frank Main

FBG Duck

Six reputed gang members found guilty in Gold Coast slaying of rapper FBG Duck: ‘O Block ... is done’

“Knowing that they will not do that to another family brings me comfort,” said Duck’s mother, LaSheena Weekly, who insisted the verdict marked the downfall of the O Block faction that warred with her son’s gang set.

By Tom Schuba

FBG Duck

Jury starts deliberating in Gold Coast slaying of rapper FBG Duck after being told by prosecutor, ‘He was murdered by O Block’

The lead prosecutor told the jury that FBG Duck was killed by ‘a violent criminal enterprise’ known as O Block.

By Tom Schuba

FBG Duck

Prosecutors close their case in FBG Duck murder trial: ‘They brutally executed him ... when he was out shopping for his son’

The government aims to prove that O Block is a criminal enterprise that has been locked in a violent conflict with Duck’s Tookaville faction of the Gangster Disciples.

By Tom Schuba

Chicago police investigate the scene of a shooting in which 15 people were wounded in the 1000 block of West 79th Street, in the Auburn Gresham neighborhood, Tuesday, July 21, 2020. Police suspected the Faceworld gang faction was involved.

Chicago gangs

Faceworld gang faction latest to be targeted in FBI racketeering case in Chicago

Other small crews like Goonie Boss, Hobos and O Block have also been hit with similar charges in recent years

By Frank Main and Tom Schuba

A combined image using photos of Marlon English, Eroica Del Real, Aja Johnson, Carla Johnson and Jaree Noel.

These are the voices of five survivors of Chicago’s violence

By The Trace

FBG Duck

Another call for mistrial in FBG Duck murder trial — this one sparked by YouTuber’s removal from courtroom

A motion filed Tuesday claims Aleta “Mickey Truth” Williams was pulled out of court last week after she falsely claimed that another YouTuber had been paid to testify in the case.

By Tom Schuba

Jesse Webster working on his computer at a Starbucks in Bucktown.

Obama’s massive prisoner release led to Jesse Webster’s Chicago success story and three failures

By Frank Main

In this courtroom sketch, Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Julien questions rap blogger Martell Wiley as Judge Martha Pacold watches.

FBG Duck

YouTuber turned star witness in FBG Duck murder trial claims his FBI cooperation began after arrest by disgraced cop Ronald Watts

Martell Wiley’s claim came during his second day of testimony at the Dirksen Federal Courthouse, where he sparred with defense attorneys who noted there was no evidence he had actually cooperated against Watts.

By Tom Schuba

Martell Wiley, who runs the Trenches News YouTube channel, wears a black mask covering his lower face and sits in what he says is a federal courtroom, in this screenshot from a video.

FBG Duck

Rap blogger boasts, cracks jokes while testifying against defendants in FBG Duck murder case: ‘I’m Michael Jordan on YouTube’

Martell Wiley, who runs the popular Trenches News YouTube channel, has always covered his face to discuss the often-violent intersection of Chicago’s gang and rap cultures — until his testimony Thursday in federal court.

By Tom Schuba

Police officers in uniform are surrounded by red crime scene tape as they place numbered yellow cards around the site of the fatal shooting of rapper FBG Duck.

FBG Duck

O Block member admits lying to FBI to avoid testifying in FBG Duck murder trial

The gangbanger-turned-informant told his handler last month that he believed O Block was responsible for his brother’s death. On the stand this week, he admitted that he lied.

By Tom Schuba

Chicago gangs

Star witness in FBG Duck murder trial is a masked rap blogger — and longtime government informant

Martell Wiley, who runs the popular Trenches News YouTube channel, was paid nearly $25,000 to cooperate with the government, an FBI agent testified Monday.

By Tom Schuba

LaSheena Weekly, mother of Carlton Weekly, widely known as FBG Duck, holds a sign with her son’s picture and song title at an outdoor news conference.

Entertainment or evidence of criminal enterprise? Drill rap takes center stage in FBG Duck murder trial

By Tom Schuba

Maria Pike holds a photo of her son Ricky Pike at her home in Pilsen. Ricky Pike was shot when a man riding in his car was mistaken for a gang member because he was wearing a green Oakland A’s hat.

‘Your debt to society is not fully paid,’ mother tells son’s killer after his release on appeal

By Matthew Hendrickson

Crime

Judge in rapper FBG Duck’s slaying case rejects push for mistrial

Attorneys for the six men charged in FBG Duck’s brazen killing moved to end the trial Wednesday amid concerns over an FBI agent’s testimony about alleged witness retaliation.

By Tom Schuba