Judge denies notorious Chicago gang leader sentencing break

CHICAGO - Notorious Chicago gang leader Larry Hoover is staying behind bars for now.

A federal judge on Tuesday denied the Gangster Disciples co-founder's request for a sentencing break.

U.S. District Judge Harry Leinenweber called Hoover, "one of the most notorious criminals in Illinois history."

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Just last year, Leinenweber seemed open to potentially letting the 70-year-old get a sentencing break, but in a rare move, U.S. Attorney John Lausch spoke out against it.

Federal prosecutors had said they believed they had proof Hoover was still in charge from behind prison walls.

A sweep of an associate's cell in 2015 uncovered a pocket dictionary with a coded message to the Gangster Disciples founder.

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"I am ready to handle your business," the message read.

Hoover is serving a 200-year sentence. He will have another chance to try for a sentencing break again.