United States Drug Enforcement Administration

CHICAGO — Sheila G. Lyons, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration Chicago Field Division, and Acting U.S. Attorney Morris Pasqual for the Northern District of Illinois announced the sentencing of a high-level member of the Four Corner Hustlers street gang to 120 months, plus eight years of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute wholesale quantities of heroin on the West Side of Chicago.

Raymond Betts, 56, of Riverdale, a so-called “prince” of a nationwide violent street gang, was charged with conspiracy to possess a controlled substance with the intent to distribute in May of 2019. On eight occasions from December 2018 to March 2019, Betts or a co-conspirator acting on his behalf distributed 136.4 grams of heroin to a law enforcement confidential source. Seven of the distributions occurred in the Austin neighborhood of Chicago, while one deal was allegedly conducted in south suburban Riverdale. Throughout his interactions with the confidential source, Betts discussed his plans to expand his drug trafficking enterprise, specifically into Northern Indiana. Betts pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute heroin in January of 2023.

Betts’ fellow gang members and co-conspirators Angela Bell, 52, of Chicago, and Maurice Williams, aka “Big Fella”, “Big Ride” and, “Naz”, 54, of Riverdale both pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute heroin. Williams’ sentencing date is set for July 14, 2023. Bell’s sentencing date is set for May 26, 2023.

Joining DEA Chicago SAC Lyons and U.S. Attorney Pasqual in announcing the sentence were Christopher Amon, 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 Eric Carter, Acting Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan DeMarco represented the government.

The multi-year investigation that led to Betts’ arrest 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.