East Chicago man convicted of killing 5 in gang conspiracy
HAMMOND, Ind. (AP) – A man federal prosecutors say was a high-ranking Imperial Gangster has been found guilty of killing five men while taking part in racketeering activity.
The Times of Munster reports Juan “Tito” Briseno of East Chicago was found guilty Friday night of conspiring to commit racketeering activity with other gang members in the shooting deaths of five men, attempted murder of a woman and of trafficking narcotics. He was found innocent of killing another man and of two attempted murders along with firearm charges associated with the shootings.
Briseno was indicted nearly four years ago and was the last of 24 Imperial Gangster members charged in U.S. District Court. Twenty-two pleaded guilty and another was found guilty at trial.
A jury will decide whether Briseno should be sentenced to death.