Law and Order, State Crime Reports

Three Men Charged in Scheme to Purchase Firearms in Kentucky and Illegally Re-Sell Them in Chicago Area


Department of Justice
(Source: justice.gov)
CHICAGO —(ENEWSPF)—May 15, 2018
By: Rosemary Piser

Christopher Henderson, John L. Phillips and Jaiqail Wright have been arrested and charged with federal firearms violations for scheming to purchase dozens of guns in Kentucky and illegally re-selling them in the Chicago area.

According to the criminal complaint, during 2016 and 2017, Henderson and Phillips allegedly purchased firearms from private sellers in Kentucky and brought them to the Chicago area.  The pair then allegedly worked with Wright to re-sell the guns to buyers in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs.  Authorities estimate that 80 to 90 firearms recovered by law enforcement in the Chicago area are associated with the defendants’ firearms trafficking.

The complaint charges Henderson, 23, of Louisville, Ky., Phillips, 23, of Hillside, and Wright, 23, of Chicago, with dealing firearms without a license.  Phillips, who was previously convicted of a firearm-related felony, also faces a charge of illegal possession of a firearm by a felon.

Dealing firearms without a license is punishable by a maximum sentence of five years in prison.  The felon-in-possession charge against Phillips carries a maximum sentence of ten years in prison.  If convicted, the Court must impose a reasonable sentence under federal statutes and the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.

The public is reminded that a complaint is not evidence of guilt.  The defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Source: www.justice.gov


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