- A reputed gang member who was once implicated in the killing of a Chicago police officer – only to have those charges later dropped -- was found guilty today by a federal jury on drug charges.
Prosecutors said Jason “J-Rock” Austin was overseeing a 24-hour heroin and crack market at Kedzie Avenue and Ohio Street known as “KO.”
Austin was charged by Cook County prosecutors in 2008 for killing off-duty Chicago police Officer Richard Soto and Soto’s companion.
Prosecutors dropped the case a month later due to lack of evidence and problems with statements from witnesses.
At this point, we'll take what we can get. Maybe with this scumbag off the street, someone previously unwilling to come forward might feel a little safer doing so? This case was a straight up textbook example of gang intimidation, witness tampering and lord knows what other mischief.
Oh, and Ms. Sweeney? Officer Soto's given name was Robert. Bobby to his friends. Please correct your article.