16 charged after 3-year undercover gang investigation in Aurora

AURORA, Ill. -- After nearly three years of undercover investigation, a total of 96 felony charges have been filed against 16 gang members from west suburban Aurora, authorities announced Friday.

FBI agents assisted Aurora police in "Operation Tri-Lambs," involving confidential informants inside the Latin Kings street gang to set up controlled drug and weapons purchases, according to city spokesman Dan Ferrelli. Thirteen guns and 22 ounces of cocaine were seized.

Seven of the 16 men were arrested during a citywide sweep with 90 police officers and FBI agents Thursday, Ferrelli said, including:

- Jose Sanchez, 19, charged with 11 gun crimes;

- Alexander Briseno, 27, charged with five drug crimes;

- Juan E. Ibarra, 21, charged with four drug crimes;

- Jose Gallegos, 21, charged with three gun crimes;

- Miguel A. Rios, 38, charged with one drug crime;

- Rodrigo Sanchez, 24, charged with one gun crime; and

- Jorge Yanez, 22, charged with one gun crime.

Two more were arrested Wednesday:

- Caleb A. Frazier, 24, charged with 21 gun and drug crimes; and

- Julio C. Charez, 23, charged with six gun crimes.

Three men previously arrested and charged in "Operation Tri-Lambs" are:

- Christian A. Escamilia, 29, charged with seven drug crimes;

- Juan A. Gomez, 41, charged with six drug crimes; and

- Christopher Rosario, 37, charged with three gun crimes.

Two more were already in prison for unrelated crimes. They were identified as:

- Noel DeLuna, 22, charged with three gun crimes; and

- Paul Benavides, 38, charged with two drug crimes.

All the cases will be tried on the state level by the Kane County state's attorney's office.

Authorities are still searching for two Aurora men who remain at large. Leonel A. Martinez, 29, has been charged in a warrant for 10 felony drug delivery charges. His last known address was in the 2400 block of Devonshire Court. The other, 22-year-old Alvaro Robledo of the 500 block of Hoyles Avenue, is wanted for two felony drug charges.

Anyone with information should call police at (630) 256-5600, or dial 911.