Chicago Crime Commission releases Most Wanted List

List includes Muaz Haffar, wanted for murder and unlawful flight. On July 9, 2005 Haffar and another defendant instigated an altercation that led to the death of a University of Illinois at Chicago student.

CHICAGO, July 16, 2010 -- The Chicago Crime Commission, in cooperation with federal, state, county and local law enforcement authorities, released this week its Most Wanted list for the Chicagoland area. The Chicago Crime Commission's Most Wanted list is the successor of the organization's Public Enemies list first created in the 1930s.

"The fugitives on the Chicago Crime Commission's Most Wanted list are in hiding and are wanted by law enforcement agencies for a variety of crimes. They all have one thing in common -- they should be considered armed and dangerous," said Arthur J. Bilek, Executive Vice President of the Chicago Crime Commission. "A citizen should not attempt to apprehend these individuals themselves," he added.

"Many of the criminals on our list are gang members and drug dealers and are part of the culture of violence responsible for the shootings and murders that plague many of Chicago's neighborhoods and victimize our children," Bilek continued. "These criminals hide behind a wall of silence, where good people are fearful or choose to do nothing rather than to expose and rid their communities of these criminals," he added.

To empower residents, the Chicago Crime Commission has developed an anonymous Most Wanted hotline and website which citizens can use to provide information on these fugitives without speaking directly to law enforcement or revealing their identities. Citizens can report information on the Most Wanted hotline at 312-372-0155 or www.chicagocrimecommission.org.

The Chicago Crime Commission intends to partner with community organizations to distribute information on these fugitives. Additionally, the Chicago Crime Commission is utilizing social networking sites like Facebook and the Internet to digitally spread the word about the Most Wanted list. "By working together with the community and law enforcement, I am confident that we can take a positive step to getting these criminals off the streets," Bilek said.

The fugitives on the Chicago Crime Commission Most Wanted list are as follows:

Danny Dominguez -- Wanted for Conspiracy to Possess and Distribute Cocaine -- On September 24, 2008, Dominguez was one of forty members of the Latin Kings gang the FBI sought to arrest following a federal drug investigation called "Operation Pesadilla."  He is the highest-ranking member of Operation Pesadilla that eluded arrest that day. Dominguez is allegedly an "Inca," or a supervisor for the gang, responsible for overseeing the selling of cocaine in the district of 30th and Sawyer in Chicago, Illinois.

Eddie C. Hicks -- Conspiracy, Possession and Distribution of a Controlled Substance -- Hicks is wanted for conspiracy, possession and distribution of a controlled substance and failure to appear. Hicks and four accomplices allegedly posed as Drug Enforcement Administration officers, prepared false search warrants, confiscated drugs, money and other valuables, and then sold the drugs to other drug dealers. Hicks was scheduled for trial on June 9, 2003 to face drug and RICO charges but failed to appear. A bench warrant was issued for his arrest. Hicks is the only member of the group that remains a fugitive. He is a former police sergeant, serving 30 years with the Chicago Police Department.

Erick Secundino -- First Degree Murder -- On January 1, 2008, Secundino, an accomplice to Fernando Palomino, allegedly killed three people, leaving another victim critically injured. Investigators say what went down was not a typical drug deal but rather a drug "rip off" with the intent to rob the drug dealer. Secundino entered an apartment in the 2400 block of North Monticello, and the shooting occurred about 4:50 pm. All four victims were reportedly duct taped before the shooting. At least one weapon was recovered. Both Palomino and Secundino are alleged members of the Spanish Cobras gang and are believed to be hiding in Chicago with help from the gang.

Fernando Palomino -- First Degree Murder -- On January 1, 2008, Palomino, an accomplice to Erick Secundino, allegedly killed three people, leaving another victim critically injured. Investigators say what went down was not a typical drug deal but rather a drug "rip off" with the intent to rob the drug dealer. Palomino entered an apartment in the 2400 block of North Monticello, and the shooting occurred about 4:50 pm. All four victims were reportedly duct taped before the shooting. At least one weapon was recovered. Palomino was on parole from the Illinois Department of Corrections at the time of the murders. Both Palomino and Secundino are alleged members of the Spanish Cobras gang and are believed to be hiding in Chicago with help from the gang.

Jesus Sanchez -- Murder, Unlawful Flight to Avoid Prosecution -- Sanchez is wanted in connection with a July 14, 2003 homicide on the 6200 block of South Whipple in Chicago where he was involved in the beating death of a rival gang member. Sanchez and the others allegedly brutally beat the victim with discarded wood boards. The victim died after suffering fifty-nine separate injuries. Sanchez is believed to be a member of the Latin Saints gang. He was convicted in absentia of the murder and sentenced to 27 years in prison.

Lorenzo Sanchez-Jimenez -- Conspiracy, Possession and Distribution of a Controlled Substance -- Sanchez-Jimenez is wanted by the FBI for his involvement in a drug distribution operation, which smuggled kilogram quantities of cocaine into the Chicago area. He has been the subject of a nationwide manhunt coordinated by Chicago FBI since April 2009 when he was charged in a criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Chicago in violation of federal drug laws.

Miguel Martinez -- Murder, Drug Conspiracy -- Martinez is charged with conspiracy to commit multiple shootings, homicides and other firearms-related violent crimes during a gang war with rival gangs in the summer of 2002. He is also wanted on Federal charges stemming from his involvement in a conspiracy to commit violent crimes and distribute illegal drugs. Martinez is a two time convicted felon and is considered the second ranking member of the Insane Deuces street gang with the title of "Lieutenant Governor" or "Second Seat" and is responsible for the Aurora, IL area. Through his position he had the power to authorize hits on rival gang members as well as have others commit any one of a number of crimes on the gang's behalf.

Muaz Haffar -- Wanted for Murder, Unlawful Flight to Avoid Prosecution -- On July 9, 2005 Haffar and another defendant instigated an altercation that led to the death of a University of Illinois at Chicago student. Haffar beat the victim with a metal bike lock, continuing to attack him beyond the point of consciousness. The victim's face was disfigured beyond recognition and died after suffering more than thirty separate injuries, including six skull fractures. Haffar was charged with first-degree murder and aggravated battery, and a judge issued an arrest warrant for him after he failed to show up in court for a preliminary hearing. Haffar may have fled to the Middle East. 

Sherry Halligan -- Murder, Unlawful Flight to Avoid Prosecution -- Sherry Halligan is wanted for the murder of a man in her home in LaGrange, Illinois on January 30, 2003. While arguing with the victim, Halligan allegedly shot the victim five times. The victim died of his wounds at the scene.

Sergio Mendoza -- First Degree Murder -- On July 17, 2005, Mendoza and a co-defendant were driving in a van in the 7100 block of South Lawndale in Chicago. They approached the victim, who was sitting in a car with friends. After allegedly firing over a dozen shots they fled. The victim died at the scene. The crime is believed to be gang related, although the specific motive of the shooting is unknown.

The Chicago Crime Commission was founded in 1919 by 35 members of the Chicago business community and is the oldest and most respected citizens' crime commission in the nation. The Chicago Crime Commission is a volunteer organization comprised of more than 200 businesses and professional leaders from the Chicago metropolitan area. The Commission is not affiliated with any agency of government.

Contact: John Pastuovic, 312-372-0101 X 240

Source: Chicago Crime Commission