Justin Cortes, a reputed gang member and four-time convicted felon, has been sentenced to 65 years in prison for the murder of a man in Humboldt Park. At the time of the crime, Cortes was on parole for a home invasion. Judge Thomas Byrne found him guilty of murder and two counts of aggravated discharge of a firearm in October 2023. However, the sentencing was delayed due to post-trial motions, as stated in court records.
Around 9 p.m. on August 6, 2021, Angel Figueroa, a 38-year-old man, sat in the front passenger seat of a van. His girlfriend occupied the driver’s seat, while their daughter sat in the back seat. Traveling along the 3400 block of West Division, they suddenly found themselves next to Cortes, who was driving a silver Santa Fe. Shockingly, Cortes fired a single shot, as shared by prosecutors.
Investigators tracked the Santa Fe to a smoke shop located in the 3300 block of West North Avenue using both private and public surveillance cameras. Video footage from the store played a crucial role in identifying Cortes as the driver of the Santa Fe. His distinctive face tattoos and jewelry were among the key factors that helped the police make this determination.
According to prosecutors, Cortes’ phone location data showed that he was in close proximity to the shooting scene at the time of Figueroa’s murder.
Judge Byrne sentenced Cortes to 35 years in prison for the murder and added a 25-year enhancement for personally firing the shot that took Figueroa’s life. Additionally, Byrne imposed a five-year sentence for aggravated discharge. Under state law, Cortes is required to serve the full term of the murder sentence.
Two months prior to the murder, Cortes faced a grand jury indictment on various charges related to firearms and narcotics. This came after parole officers discovered $1,800 worth of marijuana, six individually packaged ecstasy pills, a loaded and defaced handgun, ammunition, and $900 in cash at his residence. Instead of granting bail, the judge postponed the case for two months. Tragically, during this interim period, Cortes allegedly took the life of Figueroa.
According to court records, Cortes pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance in that case and was sentenced to three years in July 2023.
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