Derek Webb faces felony hate crime charges and misdemeanor disorderly conduct in Lake County after allegations that he threatened Latino and immigrant residents and posted a bullseye sign reading “Good Shot ICE.”
A case that prosecutors say involved targeted threats toward immigrant and Latino residents reached a new stage this week, with a man now facing hate crime charges for conduct authorities described as both menacing and rooted in bias.
Derek Webb has been charged by the Lake County State’s Attorney’s office with a felony hate crime and a misdemeanor disorderly conduct count. Prosecutors allege Webb threatened members of the Latino and immigrant community in the far north suburbs and posted a bullseye sign with the words “Good Shot ICE” written over it.
The investigation drew on evidence collected across what the State’s Attorney’s office described as “dozens of scenes.” The Waukegan Police Department. the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. the Gurnee Police Department. and the Lindenhurst Police Department all gathered material as the case was built. Federal law enforcement was also consulted during the investigation for “threat assessment.”.
Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart said in a statement that “clear threats of physical violence that are motivated by hatred. bias. or racism must be strongly condemned in the community and responded to by the legal system.” He added. “True threats are not protected by free speech. and they are particularly dangerous when they are directed towards groups who are historically and wrongfully attacked.”.
Webb was due in court Wednesday, as the case moves through the legal process.
Lake County hate crime charges Derek Webb Waukegan Police Department Gurnee Police Department Lindenhurst Police Department ICE “Good Shot ICE” immigrant threats Latino community