For Immediate Release
Thursday, March 28, 2019
Attorney General Raoul: Two Men Indicted on Gunrunning Charges
Nine Guns Recovered, Five of Which Are Connected to Residential Burglaries
Chicago – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today announced charges against two Cook County men for gunrunning, following a joint investigation by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the DuPage Metropolitan Enforcement Group, and the Norridge and Bensenville police departments.
Reynaldo Gomez, 34, of Maywood, Ill. and Jose Ibarra, 33, of Elmwood Park, Ill. were charged in DuPage County Circuit Court with gunrunning, a Class X felony punishable by six to 30 years in prison. Bond for each man was set at $250,000, and they remain in custody.
“These stolen guns were recovered before they were involved in violent crimes through our partnership with the ATF. Reducing gun violence in communities throughout Illinois requires a comprehensive approach that includes tracing stolen and trafficked guns, and,” Raoul said. “I look forward to continuing to work with the ATF, as well as other state and local law enforcement agencies to ensure that critical gun tracking data is shared between authorities.”
The ATF initiated an investigation after discovering Gomez, who is currently on parole for an unrelated conviction, and Ibarra were allegedly selling stolen guns in DuPage and Cook counties. From January until March 15, 2019, Gomez and Ibarra allegedly sold guns the ATF recovered and traced back to residential burglaries. The ATF has recovered nine guns, five of which had been reported stolen. The DuPage Metropolitan Enforcement Group, and the Norridge and Bensenville police departments assisted with the investigation.
“Working closely with our law enforcement partners is vital to solving gun crimes,” said Special Agent in Charge Tim Jones, of the Chicago Field Division of ATF. “When it comes to investigating these crimes and holding accountable those felons who are prohibited from possessing guns, we send a message of deterrence throughout the community.”
The public is reminded that the defendants are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Assistant Attorney General M. Claire Nicholson is handling prosecution of the case for Raoul’s Trials Assistance Bureau. Bureau Chief John Kezdy is handling the case for Raoul’s Statewide Grand Jury Program.
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