When the Feds busted a Latin Kings drug operation several years ago they charged 40 people, and arrested nearly two dozen of the suspects. But one of the alleged dealers who got away was a man by the name of Valentin Baez. Now FBI agents are redoubling efforts to find him.
Baez was a member of the Latin Kings street gang. In 2008 he was charged with violating federal drug and firearms laws. "Operation Pesadilla" focused on a cocaine distribution network operated by the Latin Kings in the Little Village neighborhood. The FBI says Baez played was a significant player in that network.
Baez is accused of overseeing the gang's cocaine distribution operation. Agents say he worked in the vicinity of 24th Street and South St. Louis in Chicago, near his last known address which was in the 2400 block of South St. Louis.
The FBI initially received information that Baez had been sighted in downstate Illinois, but the leads never panned out. Agents believe that shortly after the arrests in Operation Pesadilla, Baez stayed in the Little Village area and may still be close to home where he still has many connections.
Recently, the FBI received a tip which led to the capture of Vincente Garcia, an associate of Baez and -- according the agents -- the 2nd highest ranking Latin King in the country. That tip came as a direct result of a Chicago's Most Wanted profile of Garcia.
Agents hope with this profile of Baez, it can duplicate that success.
The FBI offering a $10,000 reward for information that leads to the capture of Valentin Baez.
Here is the FBI's description of Valentin Baez.
--Hispanic male
--26 years old
--About 5'6''
--About 200 pounds
--Medium build
--Black hair
--Brown eyes
--Sometimes goes by the name "Baby 2-4"
Baez is considered armed and dangerous, if you see him you're asked to call police.
Friday, April 12 2013 10:57 PM EDT2013-04-13 02:57:15 GMT
However one individual, 29-year-old Kenneth Blackman disappeared before the takedown took place. As a result, the FBI is engaged in a manhunt to track and apprehend Blackman.
However one individual, 29-year-old Kenneth Blackman disappeared before the takedown took place. As a result, the FBI is engaged in a manhunt to track and apprehend Blackman.
Friday, April 5 2013 3:56 PM EDT2013-04-05 19:56:00 GMT
There's a saying that it's better to give than to receive, but the FBI says businessman Ahmed Fa Albalwneh, 44, turned that mantra upside down to make his company all about the taking.
There's a saying that it's better to give than to receive, but the FBI says businessman Ahmed Fa Albalwneh, 44, turned that mantra upside down to make his company all about the taking.
Friday, March 29 2013 3:53 PM EDT2013-03-29 19:53:58 GMT
The first robbery happened at the Chase bank on Front Street near Wolf Road in Mokena on February 21st. Five days later he held up another bank, this time the First Midwest Bank on 80th Avenue.
The first robbery happened at the Chase bank on Front Street near Wolf Road in Mokena on February 21st. Five days later he held up another bank, this time the First Midwest Bank on 80th Avenue at 167th in Tinley Park.
