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Press Release

Superseding Indictment Charges Additional Defendant With Federal Racketeering Offenses and Murder of Chicago Rapper

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Illinois

CHICAGO — A federal superseding indictment unsealed today charges a sixth alleged member or associate of the O-Block street gang with participating in a criminal organization that murdered a Chicago rapper and violently protected the gang and its territories on the South Side of Chicago.

The original indictment alleges that the O-Block gang publicly claimed responsibility for acts of violence in Chicago and used social media and music to increase their criminal enterprise.  The O-Block gang allegedly engaged in numerous acts of violence, including the murder of Carlton Weekly, a Chicago rapper also known as “FBG Duck,” on Aug. 4, 2020.

RALPH TURPIN, also known as “Tall” and “Teezy”, 33, of Chicago has been added to the case, charged with one count of committing murder in aid of racketeering and one count of conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering.  Turpin’s initial appearance occurred today before Magistrate Judge Sunil R. Harjani.  Turpin is currently in federal custody and a detention hearing has been set for April 12, 2023.

Charged in the original indictment in October of 2021, for committing murder in aid of racketeering and conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering, are Chicago residents CHARLES LIGGINS, also known as “C Murda,” 30; KENNETH ROBERSON, also known as “Kenny” and “Kenny Mac,” 28; TACARLOS OFFERD, also known as “Los,” 30; CHRISTOPHER THOMAS, also known as “C Thang,” 22; and MARCUS SMART, also known as “Muwop,” 22.  The indictment also charges the original defendants with federal firearm violations and assaults in aid of racketeering.

The indictment was announced by Morris Pasqual, Acting United States Attorney for] the Northern District of Illinois; Robert W. Wheeler, Jr., Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; and Eric Carter, Interim Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department.  Substantial assistance in the investigation was provided by the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jason A. Julien, Albert Berry III, and Ann Marie Ursini.

The public is reminded that an indictment is not evidence of guilt.  The defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.  The murder count in the indictment carries a mandatory minimum sentence of life in federal prison and a maximum potential sentence of the death penalty.  One of the firearm counts is also punishable by a maximum potential sentence of the death penalty, while the other firearm count is punishable by a mandatory minimum of ten years and a maximum of life.  The assault counts are each punishable by a maximum of twenty years.  If convicted, the Court must impose reasonable sentences under federal sentencing statutes and the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.

Updated April 10, 2023

Topic
Violent Crime