by: Sam Charles
Posted:
Updated:
This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated.
CHICAGO —Federal prosecutors in Chicago secured guilty verdicts Tuesday against two men tied to a slew of violence on the city’s West Side over the course of two decades.
Jurors at the Dirksen Federal Courthouse returned guilty verdicts against Donald Lee and Torance Benson, two higher-ups in the Wicked Town faction of the Traveling Vice Lords gang.
Lee was found guilty of committing three murders and supplying the weapons used in three more killings, while Benson was found guilty of one murder and three other nonfatal shootings, according to federal prosecutors.
Lee and Benson were two of 13 people initially charged in the conspiracy, though their 11 co-defendants all pleaded guilty before trial. The indictment, handed up in late 2021, accused Wicked Town of committing 19 murders and 19 more attempted murders between 2000 and 2020.
Speaking to reporters at the courthouse Tuesday, John Lausch, the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, said:
“It takes a long time to put a case together like this, but when you’re able to learn about multiple acts of violence that are committed by a group — and it’s done either to protect and promote particular criminal activity they have or retaliation for other crimes that are committed — it allows us to see the full picture and it allows us to reach a greater breadth of people who are ultimately responsible.”
A sentencing date for Lee and Benson has not yet been scheduled, though each faces a mandatory life sentence.
![Federal jury convicts leader of Wicked Town Vice Lords, tied to 6 West Side murders (3) Federal jury convicts leader of Wicked Town Vice Lords, tied to 6 West Side murders (3)](https://i0.wp.com/wgntv.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/12/bestreviews-1.png)
Cleaning products so good, you’ll think they’re magic
When to aerate your lawn
Summer lawn maintenance to keep your grass healthy…
View All BestReviews
Close
Subscribe Now
trending
VIDEO: First camels, now goats break free at OH park
Photo: Rare white buffalo reported in Yellowstone
Gordon Ramsay speaks out after ‘really bad’ accident
Disney World guests evacuated from new ride
Upside-down riders rescued at Portland amusem*nt…
Will TSA stop you for edibles, CBD products?
Kate Middleton says she’s making ‘good progress’
Waffle House to raise prices, CEO says: What to know
Ski resort makes unusual find after snow melts
Dozens ill during trips to waterfalls by Grand Canyon
View All Trending
Sports
Bryson DeChambeau wins 2nd U.S. Open title
Diamondbacks rout White Sox 12-5
Cubs fall to Cardinals in 2-1 defeat
Caitlin Clark scores 22 to lead Fever past Sky 91-83
Cubs claim 5-1 victory over Cardinals
MLB investigates, disciplines umpire for gambling
View All Sports
Latest Videos
Eid Al Adha Celebration in Libertyville
Intense winds bring down tree on West Side
Sunday night forecast: Partly cloudy, breezy
Beachgoers take advantage of summer weather on Father’s…
Annual ‘Real Men Cook’ event held in South Shore
1865 Fest celebrates Juneteenth, Black culture, and…
1 killed, 1 seriously injured in shooting on Far…
Picking the perfect personal scented candle at Aura…
Sunny, steamy Sunday; Storms possible later
Strong winds, steep terrain hamper crews battling…
German police shot a man allegedly threatening them…
Eli’s Cheesecake hosts annual Father’s Day bike ride
Pilgrims commence the final rites of Hajj as Muslims…
Israel’s army says it will pause daytime fighting…
7 shot when gunfire erupts at a pop-up party in Massachusetts
Hot and humid week ahead
More with Aura Candle Bar on Southport
WGN Weekend Morning News celebrates dads!
Crews search ‘Playpen’ after reports of missing boater
Celebrating Father’s Day on Sunday Brunch with The…
More Videos
Newsfeed Now
Back-to-back hurricanes more likely to happen: Study
Al-Qaida chief’s ‘pattern of life’ was key to death
Hospital bills $847 ‘facility fee’ for Zoom call
What’s next in ‘unprecedented’ case of truck driver…
Could new DNA tech crack the JonBenet Ramsey case?
Newsfeed Now: President Trump campaigns in NC; Presidential…
Newsfeed Now: Trump campaigns in PA; Changes to Thursday’s…
Alabama man meets long-lost brother through DNA test
Friends call 911, save life of 69-year-old California…
Trick-or-treating banned: Los Angeles announces strict…
State police returning to Portland following deadly…
U.S. Coast Guard honors 9-year-old for saving father’s…
Nev Schulman of MTV’s ‘Catfish’ leaves generous,…
“I hope one of y’all pick me,” 9-year-old boy desperately…
Which face masks are most, least effective at stopping…
Man who shot Denver officer and escaped prison in…
WATCH: Celebration of life for Rep. John Lewis continues…
Oklahoma woman shot multiple times after being dared…
Lawmakers face pressure to change Mississippi state…
Experts hail swift moves in wake of Atlanta police…
‘I’d fight tooth and nail for him’: Florida man fights…
Video shows Chicago police ‘lounging’ in congressman’s…
TV helicopter crew spots, rescues missing swimmer…
Arkansas man delivers donuts to officers during protests
COVID-19 has potential to spread during protests,…
COVID-19 has potential to spread during protests,…
WATCH: ‘Agitator’ apprehended by protesters, handed…
View All Newsfeed Now