10-Month Aurora Investigation Yields Gun, Drug Charges Against 22
In the wake of the tragic mass shooting in Las Vegas, it is heartening to know about successful local efforts to get guns off the street.
On Sept. 29 — two days before 64-year-old Stephen Paddock unleashed a hailstorm of bullets from the 32nd floor of the nearby Mandalay Bay hotel — the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office, the Aurora Police Department and the Chicago Office of the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms announced the indictment of 22 individuals after a 10-month investigation.
(CREDIT: ATF Illinois)
The investigation into alleged gun and drug offenses was conducted jointly by ATF and the Aurora Police Department’s Special Operation Group with guidance from the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office.
A total of 52 felony counts were filed against the 22 individuals. All but one of the charges are related to the unlawful sale of guns or unlawful delivery of narcotics.
The investigation, dubbed “Operation Broken Heart,” began in November 2016 focusing on an Aurora street gang and its associates, and was broadened to include others. The investigation involved several hundred hours and multiple gun and drug purchases, according to Aurora police.
During the investigation, authorities seized seven guns, firearm ammunition and about 234 grams of cocaine in rock and powder form, according to Aurora police.
A Kane County grand jury indicted the 22 individuals on Sept. 12, 2017, after which arrest warrants were issued.
On Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017, more than 140 law-enforcement officers from the Aurora Police Department, ATF, the Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Marshal Service, the DuPage Metropolitan Group and the Kendall County Cooperative Police Assistance Team served the arrest warrants.
Authorities took 14 of the defendants into custody. Two of the defendants are in custody elsewhere, one defendant was issued a summons and ordered to appear in court, and five defendants remain at large and are wanted on warrants.
As authorities served the arrest warrants, they seized seven pounds of marijuana and additional firearm ammunition. The charges listed below reflect the additional contraband.
Kane County State’s Attorney Joe McMahon said the goal of the collaborative effort is to protect the community by removing illegal guns and narcotics and holding those accountable who peddle them on our streets.
“We hope our work the last several months puts another dent in the violent crime in Aurora,” McMahon said.
Aurora Chief of Police Kristen Ziman
Aurora Chief of Police Kristen Ziman said the operation sent two very important messages to those who choose to participate in gang and criminal activity.
“No. 1, you will be held accountable. No. 2, it is not just the Aurora Police who are watching,” Ziman said. “We partner every single day with law enforcement at local, state and federal levels and we will continue to do so to keep Aurora and surrounding communities safe for our families.”
ATF Chicago Special Agent in Charge Celinez Nunez described the ATF as “relentless in the effort to rid our communities of violent offenders preying on innocent citizens.”
“By working with our law-enforcement partners, we will continue to target, disrupt and dismantle gangs that threaten the safety of our neighborhoods,” Nunez said.
THE CHARGES
Those served Thursday and taken into custody
Dimas Avila: Age 23 (d.o.b. 8-16-1994), of the 500 block of Fenton Street, Aurora. Charged with unlawful delivery of a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a park, 2 counts, Class X felony, and unlawful delivery of a controlled substance, 1 count, Class 1 felony. Bail $200,000. Next court appearance: Oct. 12, 2017, Courtroom 305, Kane County Judicial Center.
Jose Campos: Age 22 (d.o.b. 4-21-1995), of the 600 block of Palace Street, Aurora. Charged with unlawful delivery of a controlled substance, Class X felony. Bail $250,000. Next appearance: Oct. 13, 2017, Courtroom 313.
Terrone Fultz: Age 26 (d.o.b. 3-4-1991), of the 1100 block of Kane Street, Aurora. Charged with unlawful delivery of a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a park, Class X felony, unlawful delivery of a controlled substance, Class 1 felony. Bail $200,000. Next appearance: Oct. 5, 2017, Courtroom 217.
Gerardo Guzman, Jr.: Age 21 (d.o.b. 12-17-1995), of the 200 block of Schiller Street, Aurora. Charged with unlawful possession of cannabis with intent to deliver, Class 1 felony, unlawful possession of cannabis, Class 2 felony, unlawful distribution of a lookalike substance, Class 3 felony, unlawful possession of ammunition without a FOID card, Class A misdemeanor. Bail $50,000. Next appearance: Oct. 13, 2017, Courtroom 311. The bail amount does not reflect the cannabis and ammunition charges.
Richard Hayden: Age 23 (d.o.b. 9-9-1994), of the 1300 block of North Glen Circle, Aurora. Charged with unlawful delivery of a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a park, Class X felony, unlawful delivery of a controlled substance, Class 1 felony. Bail $150,000. Next appearance: Oct. 13, 2017, Courtroom 319.
DeeJay M. Hill: Age 18 (d.o.b. 1-18-1999), of the 800 block of Victoria Drive, Montgomery. Charged with unlawful sale or delivery of a firearm, 2 counts, Class 4 felony. Bail $100,000. Next appearance: Oct. 13, 2017, Courtroom 217.
Jawon Jackson: Age 29 (d.o.b. 11-14-1987), of the 800 block of South Street, Plano. Charged with unlawful delivery of a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a school, Class X felony, unlawful delivery of a controlled substance, 2 counts, Class 1 felony. Bail $200,000. Next appearance: Oct. 13, 2017, Courtroom 311.
Daquavious K. Lee: Age 19 (d.o.b. 9-3-1998), of the 1900 block of Heather Drive, Aurora. Charged with unlawful possession of a firearm without a FOID card, 2 counts, Class 3 felony, and unlawful sale or delivery of a firearm, 2 counts, Class 4 felony. Bail $150,000. Next appearance: Oct. 13, 2017, Courtroom 217.
Alexander D. Lopez: Age 20 (d.o.b. 1-30-1997), of the 500 block of Parker Avenue, Aurora. Charged with unlawful possession of a firearm without a FOID card, Class 3 felony, and unlawful sale or delivery of a firearm, Class 4 felony. Bail $150,000. Next appearance: Oct. 13, 2017, Courtroom 319.
Shawn Love: Age 36 (d.o.b. 8-29-1981), of the 1400 block of Exposition Avenue, Aurora. Charged with unlawful delivery of a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a school, Class X felony, unlawful delivery of a controlled substance, Class 1 felony. Bail $350,000. Next appearance: Oct. 12, 2017, Courtroom 305.
William Pryor: Age 28 (d.o.b. 9-11-1989), of the 2400 block of Courtyard Circle, Aurora. Charged with unlawful delivery of a controlled substance, Class 1 felony. Bail $200,000. Next appearance: Oct. 12, 2017, Courtroom 305.
Dominga Rodriguez: Age 47 (d.o.b. 9-9-1994), of the 500 block of Fenton Street, Aurora. Charged with unlawful delivery of a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a park, Class X felony, unlawful delivery of a controlled substance, Class 1 felony. Bail $100,000. Next appearance: Oct. 12, 2017, Courtroom 305.
Daylon Terry: Age 26 (d.o.b. 4-30-1991), of the 1100 block of Church Road, Aurora. Charged with unlawful delivery of a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a church, 2 counts, Class X felony, unlawful delivery of a controlled substance,
2 counts, Class 1 felony. Bail $200,000. Next appearance: Oct. 13, 2017, Courtroom 319.
Dion White: Age 25 (d.o.b. 10-8-1991), of the 300 block of West Park Avenue, Aurora. Charged with unlawful delivery of a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a park, Class X felony, unlawful delivery of a controlled substance, Class 1 felony. Bail $150,000. Next appearance: Oct. 12, 2017, Courtroom 305.
Charged And Issued a Summons
Jamar R. Hare: Age 24 (d.o.b. 4-9-1993), of the 1600 block of North Marywood Avenue, Aurora. Charged with theft, Class 3 felony. Bail $30,000. Next appearance: Oct. 19, 2017, Courtroom 319.
In Custody Elsewhere
David Barbosa, Jr.: Age 32 (d.o.b. 10-10-1984), of the 1300 block of North Glen Circle, Aurora. Charged with unlawful delivery of a controlled substance, 2 counts, Class X felony, unlawful delivery of a controlled substance, Class 1 felony. Bail $250,000. Next appearance is pending.
Mikel L. Ewing: Age 21 (d.o.b. 3-26-1996), of the 1-99 block of North Cannonball Trail, Bristol. Charged with unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon, Class 2 felony, unlawful possession of a firearm without a FOID card, Class 3 felony, and unlawful sale or delivery of a firearm, 2 counts, Class 4 felony. Bail $250,000. Next appearance is pending.
Wanted on a Warrant
Arturo Chavez, Jr.: Age 25 (d.o.b. 4-24-1992), of the 1200 block of Fenton Street, Aurora. Charged with unlawful delivery of a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a park, Class X felony, unlawful delivery of a controlled substance, Class 1 felony. Bail $250,000.
Lamar Lathen: Age 38 (d.o.b. 8-24-1979), of the 800 block of Columbia Street, Aurora. Charged with unlawful delivery of a controlled substance in in a public housing residential property, Class X felony, unlawful delivery of a controlled substance, Class 1 felony. Bail $250,000.
Luis S. Lopez: Age 24 (d.o.b. 10-6-1992), of the 900 block of West New York Street, Aurora. Charged with unlawful sale or delivery of a firearm, 2 counts, Class 4 felony. Bail $100,000.
Eric Ross: Age 21 (d.o.b. 5-21-1996), of the 1700 block of Felten Road, Aurora. Charged with unlawful delivery of a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a park, Class X felony, and unlawful delivery of a controlled substance, 2 counts, Class 1 felony. Bail $150,000.
Jovon T. Young: Age 24 (d.o.b. 6-9-1993), of the 300 block of West Downer Place, Aurora. Charged with defacing identification marks of a firearm, Class 2 felony, unlawful possession of a defaced firearm, Class 3 felony, and unlawful sale or delivery of a firearm, Class 4 felony. Bail $100,000.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Arturo Chavez, Jr., Lamar Lathen, Luis Lopez, Eric Ross or Jovon Young, should call Aurora Police investigators at (630) 256-5600 or dial 911. To remain anonymous, call Aurora Area CrimeStoppers at (630) 892-1000.
The charges against these defendants are not proof of guilt. Each defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the state’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
- Editor’s Note: The feature image for this article is a stock photo illustrating guns and drugs. It is not evidence confiscated in this investigation.
