Several of the 21 defendants arrested across Lake County last month in “Operation Shut Down the Hustle” were arraigned in Lake County Circuit Court on Friday, pleading not guilty to charges that could land them in prison for life. Lake County Circuit Court on Friday,
The defendants charged in the multijurisdictional operation are alleged members of the 4 Corner Hustlers Street Gang, and were charged under the Illinois Street Gang and Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act.
A total of 13 of the defendants were arraigned Friday, facing a host of charges under RICO guidelines related to murder and trafficking of guns, heroin, cocaine and prescription drugs.
All of those arraigned Friday were charged with RICO Conspiracy and RICO Enterprise, umbrella charges that can hold gang members responsible for actions taken by the enterprise, up to and including murder. All face potential life in prison sentences at this point, officials said, but none are charged with specific murders.
The defendants were represented by a number of different defense attorneys and public defenders.
