HAMMOND | A local man pleaded guilty Wednesday in federal court admitting he participated in street gang activities throughout East Chicago in 2010 as part of the Almighty Imperial Gangsters.
Joseph Rene Torres pleaded guilty to three charges connected to the gang activity in exchange for an additional murder charge being dropped, according to court records.
Torres pleaded guilty to murder in the aid of racketeering activity in connection to the death of 18-year-old Jesus Alvarez in March 2010.
He faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison and fines up to $250,000 for the charge.
He also pleaded to one count of conspiracy to participate in racketeering activity and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 100 kilograms or more of marijuana.
He faces up to five years in prison and up to $5 million in fines connected to those charges.
In exchange for the plea agreement, he's asking the court to dismiss one charge of murder resulting from the use and carrying of a firearm.
Torres was scheduled for a plea hearing on Feb. 7 next year.
Please Wait…