Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

HAMMOND – United States Attorney David A. Capp announced that a federal grand jury in Hammond returned a 9 count superseding indictment charging Luis Allen Perez a.k.a. “LA”, 26, of East Chicago, Indiana with murder in aid of racketeering activity & RICO conspiracy in addition with numerous other charges. 

According to the indictment, Perez allegedly is a member of the Imperial Gangsters street gang and was involved in committing various acts in furtherance of the criminal enterprise.  Perez is alleged to have killed Manuel Martinez in East Chicago, Indiana on or about June 17, 2016 for the purpose of maintaining or increasing position in the gang.  During the June 17 killing Perez allegedly also attempted to murder another individual. 

The United States Attorney's Office emphasized that an Indictment is merely an allegation and that all persons charged are presumed innocent until, and unless, proven guilty in court.

If convicted in court, any specific sentence to be imposed will be determined by the judge after a consideration of federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

This case is the result of the investigative efforts of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the East Chicago Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Gary Police Department, the Hammond Police Department, the Lake County, Indiana, Sheriff’s Department and Lake County High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area officers and agents.  The Lake County Prosecutor’s Office also has provided assistance.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys David J. Nozick and Dean Lanter.

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