Peoria Standard

October 30, 2024, Peoria, IL – In a first for Peoria County, State’s Attorney Jodi Hoos has filed charges under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) against ten individuals. These individuals are members of a street gang known as the "Snakes," which has been linked to violence in the area over the past two years.

The group includes four adults and six minors. Investigations have connected them to three murders and twelve shootings. Police recovered eighteen guns, with four modified to function as fully automatic weapons. The investigation was a joint effort by the State’s Attorney’s Office, the Peoria Police Department, and the Peoria County Sheriff’s Office.

Adults Korion Hopkins, Keon Patterson, Messiah Carpenter, and Quandarius Jones were indicted by a Peoria County Grand Jury. The juveniles involved face charges in juvenile court, with a petition filed to transfer their cases to adult court.

All suspects are currently detained; nine are held at local facilities while one is in custody out of state.

Authorities urge anyone with information on these individuals to contact the Peoria Police Department or the Peoria County Sheriff’s Office.

"This violent group joined together to terrorize our community. The sheer volume of violent crimes committed by the group is exactly what the RICO statute was designed for, so today they can join in the charges," said Jodi M. Hoos, Peoria County State’s Attorney.