In this episode, retired agent Mark Horton reviews Operation Impunity, an undercover investigation that targeted the New Breed Black Gangsters. The street gang was based in “The Square,” a Chicago housing complex plagued with gang violence and an open-air drug market. The faction of the Breeds operated with Impunity, committing murders and selling drugs with no fear of law enforcement.
In 2004, the Chicago Police Department (CPD) area 4 Gang Squad and the FBI Joint Task Force on Gangs (JTFG) began developing a strategy to dismantle the gang. The CPD would conduct street corner conspiracy and the FBI JTFG would begin working toward a Title III and a Group I UCO.
Mark Horton, initially the case agent, took on the undercover role, infiltrating the New Breed Black Gangsters as a business associate purchasing drugs from the gang.
“ Like they say, don’t become a monster when you’re chasing monsters. It was probably a little
bit over two years that I was hanging out with these guys. In order to fit in, you lose a little bit of who you truly are. It’s not normal for me to be talking about murders, to be abusing people, and selling drugs for the majority of my day.”—Retired Agent Mark Horton
Special Agent (Retired)
Mark L. Horton
8/1995 – 12/ 2023
Mark L. Horton served in the FBI for over 28 years. His first office was the Chicago Field Office, where he investigated violent street gangs, drug trafficking organizations, and transnational organized crime.
He also was a certified undercover employee who traveled to many field divisions to take part in Group I/II undercover assignments in long-term gang, drug, police systemic corruption and terrorism cases as the primary UCE.
Mark was also a certified firearms instructor and member of the FBI Chicago Division SWAT team. He held the position of program manager of the FBI undercover and sensitive operations unit, where he oversaw all FBI undercover cases in the north and Midwest field offices and managed the undercover certification course.
Mark also held the positions of Legat and Assistant Legal Attaché (ALAT) in Nairobi, Kenya.
He was the initial on-scene commander for the Maersk Alabama cargo ship hi-jacking in which Somali Pirates kidnapped Captain Richard Phillips. During this assignment, he was the on-scene commander of the seven eleven terrorist attack in Kampala, Uganda, in which Al Shabab Terrorist killed 78 people, including one American.
During his Bureau career, Mark was a program manager in the counter-terrorism division and was assigned to the Undercover Safe guard Unit as a counselor, providing counseling to undercover employees who were involved in long-term operations.
His last assignment was as a field supervisor in the Miami Field Office of a transnational organized crime (TOC-West and East) squad.
After he retired, Mark was hired as a Senior Police advisor for Universal Strategy Group, Inc. and conducted organizational and operational capacity assessments for Haitian National Police and justice institutions. He also developed operational strategies focusing on investigative improvement, resource management, and discipline procedures for Kenyan and Haitian law enforcement agencies. Currently, he is volunteering for PAL, the Police Athletic League, teaching kids life skills and preparing them for Golden Glove tournaments in Florida.
The following are news articles about Operation Impunity, an undercover investigation that dismantled the New Breed Black Gangsters, a Chicago based gang:
Chicago Tribune – 6/14/2004: Gangs Built on Corporate Mentality
DOJ Press Release – 5/9/2006: U.S. CHARGES 56 ALLEGED NEW BREEDS STREET GANG MEMBERS AND ASSOCIATES IN CONSPIRACY TO DISTRIBUTE DRUGS AT THE SQUARE
DOJ Press Release – 8/6/2012: NEW BREEDS GANG LEADER DANA BOSTIC SENTENCED TO 38 YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON
FBI Website – FBI, Chicago Police Department Work to Combat Violent Crime
Listen to the FBI investigation that inspired Mark to join the FBI, FBI Retired Case File Review episode 054: Bill Dyson – El Rukn Libyan Terrorist Conspiracy.
Listen to these gang focused case reviews:
330: Todd Schliem – Harvey Hustlers, Murder Squad
286: Cory McGookin – Latin Kings, Aurora Cold Case Murders
New Breed Black Gangsters and Operation Impunity case related images:
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That was an awesome piece of work, personally I worked with Mark in Nairobi and I can attest to the fact that he is a committed and diligent leader, trainer and a friend.
Thank you for listening to Mark’s case review.