PEORIA (25News Now) – The four adults facing RICO charges after Peoria County State’s Attorney Jodi Hoos said they belonged to a violent street gang had their first day in court Thursday morning.

Three of the suspects, 18-year-old Korion Hopkins, 20-year-old Keon Patterson, and 20-year-old Messiah Carpenter, pleaded not guilty to several charges in court.

Hopkins and Carpenter faced additional charges connected to a pair of high-profile violent crimes, including the shooting death of Peoria High School basketball standout Mikequese Taylor.

Both suspects pleaded not guilty to one count of violating the RICO Act.

Like the other suspects, Patterson pleaded not guilty to violating the RICO Act. However, he faced additional charges connected to other cases, all of which are listed below:

• Violation of RICO
• Aggravated discharge of firearm (2)
• Aggravated battery with firearm
• Unlawful use of a weapon (2)

The fourth adult in the RICO case, 22-year-old Quandarius Jones, did not appear in court Thursday morning, as he was being held on a warrant at another jail.

Six minors were also charged in the RICO Act filing from Wednesday, which Hoos said was the first time her office has filed this type of charge.

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