Sangamon County State’s Attorney and Law Enforcement Announce 23 Gang-Related Indictments

Sangamon County State’s Attorney John Milhiser announced Tuesday, September 22, that 23 individuals associated with two rival Springfield gangs have been indicted on charges related to organized criminal activity, including multiple homicides, shootings, illegal firearms and controlled substances.

The indictments follow an ongoing investigation by the Sangamon County State’s Attorney’s Office, the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office and the Springfield Police Department into violent criminal activity occurring throughout Springfield and Sangamon County.

The 23 defendants are alleged to be members of two rival gangs, SQAD (Shoot Quick Avoid Death) and BP (Boss Playas). According to the indictments, the organizations engaged in a pattern of criminal activity beginning in August 2024, including acts of violence against rival gang members and innocent individuals.

The charges encompass four separate homicide investigations resulting in the deaths of six people, including nine-year-old Cash Russell, who was killed during a home invasion on October 9, 2025. The indictments also involve multiple shootings, the possession and trafficking of more than a dozen firearms, including machine guns, and the illegal possession of controlled substances.

All 23 defendants have been charged with one count of racketeering conspiracy under the Illinois Street Gang and Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Law (RICO). The offense carries a statutory penalty of up to 30 years in prison, with the possibility of life imprisonment for defendants whose actions resulted in death. Fifteen defendants face additional charges.

The indictments were returned by a Sangamon County grand jury and remained sealed pending arrests. At the time of the indictments, 12 defendants were already in custody in Sangamon and Macon counties or serving sentences in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

Sangamon County Sheriff Paula Crouch emphasized the importance of cooperation among local law enforcement agencies in addressing violent crime.

“Public safety remains the Springfield Police Department’s highest priority. Gang activity, gun violence, and other violent crime have no place in our community. We will continue to utilize every available resource and lawful tool to identify, investigate, and hold violent offenders accountable,” Springfield Police Chief Joe Behl said.

“Partnerships with fellow law enforcement professionals help keep our community safe. I would like to thank the Sangamon County State’s Attorney, the Springfield Police Department, the Illinois State Police Crime Lab and the hard-working investigators of the Sheriff’s Office for their tireless efforts in protecting the residents of Sangamon County and helping to remove violent offenders from our streets,” Sheriff Crouch said.

State’s Attorney Milhiser also emphasized the importance of continued cooperation among law enforcement agencies.

“We must work together to identify and hold accountable those causing violence in our community. We will continue to work with law enforcement partners to keep our community safe,” Milhiser said.

TWENTY-THREE GANG MEMBERS FROM TWO RIV AL GANGS CHARGED IN STATE RICO INDICTMENTS FOR GANG VIOLENCE, INCLUDING MURDER OF NINE-YEAR-OLD