Three Peoria gang members facing RICO charges plead not guilty

PEORIA (25News now) – Four adults facing RICO charges after Peoria County State’s Attorney Jody Hus said they belonged to a violent street gang. their first day in court was Thursday morning.

The three suspects, 18-year-old Corion Hopkins, 20-year-old Keon Patterson and 20-year-old Messiah Carpenter, pleaded not guilty to multiple charges in court.

Hopkins and Carpenter face additional charges related to a pair of high-profile violent crimes, including the murder of Peoria High School basketball standout Mikes Taylor..

Both suspects pleaded not guilty to one count of violating the RICO Act.

Like the other suspects, Patterson pleaded not guilty to violating the RICO Act. However, he was facing additional charges related to other cases, all of which are listed below:

RICO violation
Aggravated use of a firearm (2)
Aggravated assault with a firearm
Illegal use of weapons (2)

The fourth adult in the RICO case, Quandarius Jones, 22, did not appear in court Thursday morning because he was being held at another jail.

Six juveniles were also charged under the RICO Act as of Wednesday, which Hus said was the first time her office had filed charges of this type.

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