11162012 - News Article - 2 more Imperial Gangsters plead not guilty

2 more Imperial Gangsters plead not guilty

Post-Tribune (IN)
November 16, 2012 

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Two more Imperial Gangster defendants pleaded not guilty Thursday afternoon to racketeering charges after a federal judge ruled that both be held without bond pending their trial. 

East Chicago residents Raymond Campos, 28, and Richard Reyes , 40, are two of the eight new defendants charged in the case last week, and Reyes also is charged with murdering Rene Alonzo in September 2007. 

Campos did not fight his detention, but Reyes ’ attorney, Jack Friedlander, argued that his client should be released despite the seriousness of the charges. 

Friedlander said that a grand jury had already convened on Alonzo’s killing five years ago but that no physical evidence existed then. Friedlander said he suspected the new evidence was testimony from other defendants who wanted to cut a deal with the government in their own cases. 

“I feel the evidence falls quite short,” Friedlander said of the lack of proof that Reyes is a danger to the community. 

He added that Reyes ’ last conviction was 11 years ago and that his only felony conviction was when he was 19. 

Assistant U.S. Attorney David Nozick said those convictions were spread out over drugs, guns and violence charges, which was concerning. 

“He quite simply needs to be detained,” Nozick said. 

U.S. Judge Andrew Rodovich sided with Nozick, and ordered both Campos and Reyes held pending trial. A trial date is set for January, but that is expected to be continued after the announcement last week of a third superseding indictment.