High-level member of Chicago gang arrested on federal drug charges
CHICAGO — A high-level member of the Four Corner Hustlers street gang has been arrested on federal drug charges for allegedly selling wholesale quantities of heroin on the West Side of Chicago.
Raymond Betts, 52, of Riverdale, is charged with conspiracy to possess a controlled substance with the intent to distribute. A criminal complaint filed in federal court in Chicago accuses Betts of selling or directing sales of heroin on eight occasions from December 2018 to March 2019. Seven of the alleged sales occurred in the Austin neighborhood of Chicago, while one deal was allegedly conducted in south suburban Riverdale.
Two other alleged members of the gang are also charged in the conspiracy: Angela Bell, 48, of Chicago, and Maurice Williams, 50, of Riverdale. All three defendants were arrested Wednesday. Bell will appear for a detention hearing on Friday at 1:30 p.m. before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sunil R. Harjani in Chicago. Judge Harjani scheduled detention hearings for Williams and Betts for Monday at 2:45 p.m.
The charges and arrests were announced by Brian M. McKnight, Special Agent in Charge of the Chicago Division of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration; John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; Timothy Jones, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Division of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Thomas J. Dart, Cook County Sheriff; and Eddie Johnson, Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Katie M. Durick and Kalia Coleman represent the government.
The multi-year investigation was conducted with the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) and the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force (HIDTA). The mission of the task forces, which are comprised of agents and officers from numerous federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking organizations.
According to the complaint, Betts operates a drug trafficking organization comprised of members or associates of the Four Corner Hustlers. Betts is a high-ranking member of the gang and the only one to hold the title of "Prince," according to the complaint. Betts is also the founder and leader of an enforcement or security faction of the Four Corner Hustlers known as the "Body Snatchers," the complaint states.
The complaint describes eight transactions for a total of approximately 136 grams of heroin. The seven deals in Chicago allegedly occurred in the 5300 block of West Washington Boulevard, while the Riverdale transaction occurred in an alley near the 13800 block of South Edbrooke Avenue in the south suburb, according to the complaint. Unbeknownst to the defendants, the buyer was confidentially working on behalf of law enforcement, the complaint states.
The public is reminded that charges contain only accusations and are not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The conspiracy charge is punishable by up to 40 years in prison. If convicted, the Court must impose reasonable sentences under federal sentencing statutes and the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
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