Prosecutors seek to include gang evidence in Joliet flare gun murder case

Prosecutors are requesting that a judge allow statements and evidence to be included in a case to show a 20-year-old man allegedly conspired with another man to kill a gang member, according to court records.

Recent court filings from the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office reveal more details of what led to the arrest of Eric Raya, 20, Manuel Escamilla, 20, and Andy Cerros, 19, in June 2017.

The three men are charged with using a flare gun to cause a blaze at 16 N. Center St. in Joliet that killed Regina Rogers, 28, her 11-month-old daughter, Royalty Rogers, and Jacquetta Rogers, 29, on June 3, 2017.

Raya, Escamilla and Cerros have pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and arson charges.

Prosecutors have claimed that the men intended to kill Rakeem “Rocky” Venson. He was inside the home at the time of the fire but managed to escape unharmed, prosecutors said.

Will County Assistant State’s Attorney Michael Fitzgerald filed a motion in Raya’s criminal case that argues for the inclusion of both Escamilla’s and Venson’s “self-admitted” membership to rival gangs, as that provides motive for the deadly fire.

“In the case at hand, the motive for the arson fire is directly related to the ongoing gang-related feud between 2-6 street gang member Manuel Escamilla and East Bay Vice Lords street gang member Rakeem Venson,” Fitzgerald said.

Fitzgerald argued Raya and Escamilla exchanged Facebook messages that showed Raya wanted to be part of the confrontation between Escamilla and Venson.

Fitzgerald also argued for the inclusion of evidence allegedly showing a confrontation between Escamilla and Venson on May 30, 2017, near the Wendy’s on Center Street.

Raya was not present at the time of the confrontation, he said.

The incident involved the “throwing down” of Venson’s gang sign by Escamilla, Fitzgerald said in his motion, which shows Escamilla “had the desire to harm” Venson.

Will County Assistant State’s Attorney Christopher Koch also filed a motion in Raya’s case to admit statements from Escamilla that he allegedly wanted to kill Venson, as well as evidence that Raya and Escamilla allegedly engaged in a conspiracy to cause the house fire.

A court hearing on the motions was scheduled for Thursday, according to court records.

Raya’s case is scheduled for a jury trial Aug. 19. Escamilla’s and Cerros’ cases have not been scheduled for trial yet.

Koch’s motion alleges that Raya, Cerros and Cerros’ brother entered Walmart, 2424 W. Jefferson St., on May 27, 2017, and stole a flare gun from the store’s sporting goods section.

The motion alleges Raya’s cousin was inside a black 2004 Chrysler Pacifica on June 3, 2017, and the cousin indicated Raya was in the car at the time the flare gun was used to start the deadly fire.

Raya allegedly was in the front passenger seat and Escamilla was driving, according to the motion.

A Feb. 22 Joliet police search warrant for Facebook records said investigators spoke with Raya’s cousin, who claimed that Cerros was in the vehicle and shot the flare gun at the house.

Investigators spoke with Cerros, who accused Escamilla and the cousin of firing the flare gun, according to the search warrant.