A long term investigation conducted by the Aurora Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office into allegations of drug dealing and firearms sales involving an Aurora street gang culminated Friday with the unsealing of Kane County Grand Jury Indictments against 16 men.

The charges contained in the indictments were announced by Aurora Police Chief Kristen Ziman, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Chicago Office John Brown and Kane County State’s Attorney Joe McMahon. The investigation was conducted under the umbrella of the U.S. Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force.

A total of 96 felony charges have been filed against the men, all of whom are alleged members of the Latin King street gang. As a result of the investigation dubbed “Operation Tri-Lambs,” 32 of the charges are classified as Class X felonies, which call for enhanced penalties upon conviction. The nearly three-year investigation used undercover, controlled narcotics and weapons purchases and involved confidential informants, all of whom were also members of the Latin Kings.

Charging documents indicate the purchases were all video and/or audio recorded.

All of the felonies are state charges and will be prosecuted by the Kane County State’s Attorney. During the investigation, 13 firearms and approximately 22 ounces of cocaine were seized. The majority of the investigation’s targets have documented criminal histories involving narcotics, weapons, and other alleged violent offenses.

“The joint response from law enforcement at the federal, legislative and local levels illustrate that the power of collaboration is an unstoppable force against those individuals who wreak havoc on a community,” said Ziman. “The tireless work by law enforcement reinforces the notion that criminal acts are not tolerated.”

“Every day, there are reports in the news about people being shot: men, women and children who are killed by gang members who have little regard for human life,” Special Agent Brown said. “Today, the FBI working with our local law enforcement partners, further our joint efforts to remove dangerous gang members who possess illegal firearms from the streets of Illinois. The FBI remains committed to providing a safe community for the public and ridding our neighborhoods of these criminals.”

Alvaro Robledo, 22, (left) and Leonel A. Martinez, 29, (right) are still at large following a gang investigation and arrests by Aurora police, the FBI and the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office.

Seven of the 16 men were taken into custody Thursday (Aug. 11, 2016), when about 90 Aurora police officers and FBI special agents fanned out across the city and executed arrest warrants either at the suspects’ homes or places where they were known to frequent. Five of the men were previously arrested and charged in connection with the Tri-Lambs investigation, two were in IDOC custody on unrelated charges and two remain at large.

One of the suspects, Caleb A. Frazier, 24, of the 200 block of Forest Ave., Aurora, faces 21 felony counts including nine counts of unlawful possession of a firearm by a street gang member, five counts of unlawful sale or delivery of a firearm, three counts of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance, two counts of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a church and single counts of gunrunning and unlawful possession of a firearm with no FOID card.

Frazier was taken into custody Wednesday, Aug. 10, while he was with another target of the investigation, Julio C. Charez, 23, of the 100 block of Woodlawn Ave., Aurora. Charez faces two counts each of unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon, unlawful possession of a firearm with no FOID card, and unlawful sale or delivery of a firearm.

The other three suspects already arrested and charged in connection with the investigation include:

• Christian A. Escamilia, 29, of the 2000 block of Best Place, Aurora; charged with six counts of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance and one count of delivery of a controlled substance within 1000 feet of a park.

• Juan A. Gomez, 41, of the 1100 block of Alameda Drive, Aurora; charged with five counts of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance and one count of delivery of a controlled substance within 1000 feet of a park.

• Christopher Rosario, 37, of the 200 block of O’Malley Court, Aurora; charged with single counts of unlawful sale or delivery of a firearm, unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon and unlawful possession of a firearm by a street gang member.

Taken into custody Thursday were:

• Jose Sanchez, 19, of the 200 block of Forest Ave., Aurora; charged with four counts each of unlawful possession of a firearm by a street gang member and unlawful sale or delivery of a firearm and single counts of gunrunning, reckless discharge of a firearm, and unlawful possession of a firearm with no FOID card.

• Alexander Briseno, 27, of the 400 block of Superior St., Aurora; charged with four counts of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance and a single count of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance within 1000 feet of a church.

• Juan E. Ibarra, 21, of the 1000 block of North Ave., Aurora; charged with three counts of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance and one count of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance within 1000 feet of a school.

• Jose Gallegos, 21, of the 700 block of Hammond Ave., Aurora; charged with single counts of unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon, unlawful possession of a firearm with no FOID, and unlawful sale or delivery of a firearm.

• Miguel A. Rios, 38, of the 900 block of Liberty St., Aurora; charged with unlawful delivery of a controlled substance.

• Rodrigo Sanchez, 24, of the 500 block of Hankes Ave. and Jorge Yanez, 22, of the 400 block of Grove St., both in Aurora and each charged with unlawful sale or delivery of a firearm.

The two men already in IDOC custody on unrelated charges are:

• Noel DeLuna, 22, who last lived in the 900 block of Zengele Ave., Aurora; charged with unlawful possession of a firearm with no FOID, unlawful sale or delivery of a firearm and unlawful possession of firearm ammunition.

• Paul Benavides (aka Francis Perez), 38, whose last known address was in the 200 block of Arrowhead Dr., North Aurora; charged with unlawful delivery of a controlled substance and unlawful delivery of cannabis.

Police continue their search for two Aurora men: Leonel A. Martinez, 29, whose last known address is in the 2400 block of Devonshire Ct.; and Alvaro Robledo, 22, who listed an address in the 500 block of Hoyles St. Martinez is charged with eight counts of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance and two counts of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance within 1000 feet of a school. Robledo is charged with single counts of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance and unlawful delivery of a controlled substance within 1000 feet of a church.

Martinez is described as 6 feet tall, 230 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. He has tattoos on his chest, left arm and right wrist. Robledo is 6 foot 1 inch, 250 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. He has tattoos on his chest and one of his arms.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of either Martinez or Robledo is asked to call Aurora Police Special Operations Group Investigators at 630-256-5600 or their local law enforcement agency by dialing 911. To remain anonymous and qualify for a cash reward of up to $5,000 for information that leads to the arrest of either man, call Aurora Area Crime Stoppers at 630-892-1000. Tips can also be submitted through the Aurora Police Department’s free app available through iTunes, the Android Market, or Amazon App Store. Simply search for “My Police Department”, find the Aurora Police, and download.

The charges against the men are not proof of guilt. They are all presumed innocent and are entitled to a fair trial in which it is the state’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

SOURCE: Aurora Police Department news release