A member of a street gang has been charged with a felony gun charge after he made threats on social media against a rival gang member, according to a criminal complaint by the Racine County District Attorney’s Office.
Marquis Jones, 18, of Racine, was charged by the Racine County District Attorney’s Office with two counts of making threats over the computer, and possession of a firearm by a felon. If convicted on all charges, Jones faces up to 10 years six months in prison and/or fined up to $27,000.
According to the criminal complaint, Jones, a defendant in a case where a house was shot up in January, allegedly sent SnapChat videos and Facebook messages. Jones and the man he sent the videos to are known to be affiliated with two rival gangs in town. Racine Police noted that there have been a number of calls where the gang members have shot at one another. One of the largest gangs in Racine, “The Dirty P,” has grown to 80 members and regularly has had conflict with a street gang that calls themselves “NFL,” which stands for Northside For Life.
Marquis sent a Facebook message to the man saying that he couldn’t wait to make the man beg for his life and that they would have their time. The man called Marquis a “house shooter.” Racine Police monitored Jones’ Facebook and SnapChat account, which showed that he had made several videos of himself making threats and holding a gun.
When investigators interviewed Jones, he admitted to being a member of a gang and that the gun was real. A convicted felon, Jones is not permitted to have a firearm. He told police he no longer has the gun as it was stolen from him, according to the criminal complaint.
Jones is being held on a $25,000 cash bond. A preliminary hearing has been set for 9 a.m. Aug. 27 in front of Racine County Court Commissioner John Bjelajac.