Suspected Gang Member Charged with Plotting Witness’ Murder

Investigators with the Racine County Sheriff’s Office say a man facing felony firearm charges was communicating with his gang to plot the murder of a witness in his case.

Breon Jackson, 21, of Racine, was charged Tuesday with one count each of conspiracy to commit felony intimidation of a witness and felony conspiracy to commit first degree intentional homicide. If convicted, he faces up to 70 years in prison and/or up to $25,000 in fines.

According to the criminal complaint, Jackson was being held at the Kettle Moraine Correctional Institution last December when officers searched his cell and discovered letters explaining that Jackson was going to kill a witness in a case against him and the witness’ children as well. Officers also found “gang-related materials” in addition to the letter and at least one photograph in which someone was displaying the hand gesture for a street gang.

Police say Jackson was incarcerated as a felony case against him for possession of a firearm by a felon made its way through the legal system. Officers in Feb. 2015 initiated a traffic stop on a car in which Jackson and other occupants were driving, and a search of the vehicle turned up a gun hidden under the front seat.

During a motion hearing last November, an investigator was testifying when the question of the witness’ identity was raised, and Racine County Circuit Court Judge Eugene Gasiorkiewicz ruled that he would consider an in camera review of whether or not the witness could be identified and cross-examined by the defense. Jackson was back in court on Jan. 15, and prosecutors informed the court they could reveal the witness’ name because they were charging Jackson with threatening to kill them.

The court on Jan. 16 took away Jackson’s telephone, mail services and visitation privileges based on the seriousness of the new charges. His motion hearing on the firearm charge has been rescheduled to March 17.

Jackson was transported to Racine for his initial appearance on the new charges and remains in the Racine County Jail on a $50,000 cash bond. He will next be in court Feb. 4 for his preliminary hearing and has been ordered to supply a DNA sample.