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Peoria teen ordered held in custody pending trial on racketeering charges
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — An alleged member of a notorious street gang was ordered held in custody Friday pending the outcome of his case.
Kendal E. Patterson, 18, was indicted Tuesday for violating the state's anti-racketeering laws as well as aggravated discharge of a firearm and unlawful use of a weapon, the latter charge alleged they possessed a loaded machine gun.
He was initially scheduled to appear on Thursday, but his attorney asked for a delay of one day to prepare for the hearing, which is allowed under the state's SAFE-T Act.
Two more alleged members of the 'Snakes' indicted for RICO violations
Patterson is accused in connection with incidents on Feb. 24, 2023, in the 800 block of Gift Avenue, also in Peoria.
His prosecution is part of an effort by the Peoria County State's Attorney's Office to combat street violence. Last fall, State's Attorney Jodi Hoos filed the RICO counts against 10 people under the state's Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act which alleges they were affiliated with the 'Snakes' street gang, which prosecutors said is linked to a 'rash of violence that has plagued the area.'
At the time, six of the 10 were minors, and Hoos said she planned to ask a judge to transfer the case from the juvenile division to the adult division. Patterson's case was moved to adult court late last month.
Of the other nine people, all their cases are still pending.
Patterson's trial is set for early July.
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