A Chicago gang leader pleaded guilty to federal charges of attempting to provide material support to ISIS, distributing fentanyl, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, Fox News reports. Jason Brown, who allegedly shepherded the AHK street gang, was apprehended after giving money to an undercover law enforcement officer he believed was an ISIS fighter.
The 41-year-old man allegedly attempted to give payments
of $500 on three different occasions.Brown also admitted to harboring loaded handguns to further his criminal activities. He faces a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison for possession of the firearms; a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison and a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison for his role in distributing various narcotics; and a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for his attempt to aid a terrorist group. He will face sentencing in May 2024.
Gang violence in Chicago continues to be cause for concern in a city often ravished by firearm homicides. Brown’s AKH gang included members of other criminal organizations like the Black P Stones, Gangster Disciples, and Four Corner Hustlers.
In August, Chicago Alderwoman Maria Hadden promoted an ordinance from a community group called
Native Sons that asked gangs to commit to a ceasefire between the hours of 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. in order to reduce the number of innocent civilian deaths.“We have to start somewhere,” co-founder of Native Sons Tatiana Atkins said, according to ABC 33 News. “Our goal is to approach our city’s gun violence problem strategically and not all at once. Things didn’t become this way overnight, and change won’t happen overnight.” City officials had grown weary of attempts to quell gang violence, forcing citizens to deal with horrific and devastating aftermaths.
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