U.S. Department of Justice
Federal Bureau of Investigation
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U.S. Department of Justice Federal Bureau of Investigation |
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| In Reply, Please Refer to Release No. |
219 South Dearborn Street Chicago, Illinois 60604 |
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February 19, 2003 Fugitive in 1997 Drug Murder Arrested in Chicago Thomas J. Kneir, Special Agent in Charge of the Chicago office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Terry G. Hillard, Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department (CPD) announced today the arrest of OMAR AVILA, age 24, whose last known address was 5630 South Whipple in Chicago. AVILA was arrested early Monday morning in the 3800 block of North Kedzie Avenue in Chicago, without incident, by FBI Special Agents and CPD Officers assigned to the FBI's Joint Task Force on Gangs (JTFG). AVILA was one of nine men charged in a Federal Grand Jury indictment returned on December 16, 2002, with a series of drug related violent crimes, including the July 1997 murder of Sindulfo Miranda. The indictment alleged that AVILA was a member of the "Carmen Brothers Crew", headed by Richard and Jerome Carmen, that used kidnapping, torture and murder to steal illegal narcotics from rival drug dealers. AVILA has been the subject of a nationwide manhunt since his indictment in December. His arrest leaves Jerome Carmen as the only defendant in this case who is still being sought by the FBI. Jerome Carmen, also known as "Munchee", is described as a Hispanic/male, 28 years of age, whose last known address was 3255 West Hirsch in Chicago. Anyone knowing the current whereabouts of Carmen is asked to call the FBI at (312) 431-1333. This arrest and the related charges were the result of a joint investigation conducted by the JTFG, which is comprised of FBI Special Agents and CPD gang crimes officers. The JTFG targets violent street gangs whose primary trade is the sale and distribution of illegal drugs in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs. AVILA appeared in U.S. District Court in Chicago Tuesday morning, at which time he was ordered held without bond pending his next scheduled court appearance. If convicted of this offense, AVILA faces a possible sentence of life in prison without parole. The public is reminded that an indictment is not evidence of guilt and that all defendants in a criminal case are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. EDITOR's NOTE: A copy of the indictment returned against AVILA and photographs of Jerome Carmen are available from the Chicago FBI Press Office, either by courier or E-mail, at (312) 786-2645. |
