CHICAGO SUN-TIMES

BY TERESA AUCH SCHULTZ tauch@post-trib.com

10 Nov 2012

S$SRene Alonzo’s family has waited more than five years to see justice for his killing.

They might finally receive it after federal prosecutors in Indiana announced an expanded indictment in the East Chicago Imperial Gangsters racketeering case, including murder counts connected to five murders including Alonzo’s.

“It’s been a long time coming,” Richard Alonzo, Rene’s father, said.

Federal attorneys had already charged 15 people in the case, most of whom were charged with conspiracy to racketeer and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana and cocaine. Eight new defendants now face those charges as well.

Also mentioned in the indictment is Ronnie Carrasquillo, Rogelio Perez and Alejandro Rivera who are said to be the incarcerated Leadership Of the Imperial Gangsters.

Defendants in the case were already charged with murder counts connected to the people enient ma ad it murdo, counts comecto to the

Anuar David Paez, killed July 24, 2004, in East Chicago. Ace Cortez, 33, of East Chicago, taces two murder counts in connection to Paez’s killing.

Guadalupe Trevino, shot and killed as he and a friend were driving past the Gary/ Chicago International Airport on July 24, 2005. Jason Medina faces two counts of murder in the case.

Alonzo, shot and killed after he agreed to drive someone to the U.S. Sports bar on Adler Street in East Chicago on Sept. 16, 2007. Richard Reyes, 40, of East Chicago, faces two counts of murder in the case.

Mario Soriano, killed on March 25, 2008, in Ham-mona. Julian Guillermo Serna, 23, of Munster, faces two counts of murder in the case.

The conspiracy count also says that unnamed members of the Imperial Gangsters shot and killed Martin Navarro on July 7, 2004, in East Chicago while the 17-year-old was standing on his front porch. It also said that Julius Solis, 23, of East Chicago, murdered Alonzo Cavanoz on May 3, 2009, although no charges were filed specifically to those crimes.

Juan Briseno, who already faced 10 counts of murder in connection to five killings, is now also charged with three counts of attempted murder and three counts of using a gun in relation to a violent crime.

Another new defendant, Julius Solis, also faces one count each of attempted murder and use of a gun during a violent crime.