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Gun and Drug Charges Land Suburban Chicago Man in Federal Prison
A federal jury in Chicago has convicted Brian Stafford, 42, on firearm and drug charges for illegally possessing two loaded handguns and dealing heroin and crack cocaine. Stafford was found guilty of possessing heroin and crack cocaine with the intent to distribute, illegal possession of firearms by a previously convicted felon, and possessing firearms in furtherance of drug-trafficking activities.
The convictions are punishable by a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years in federal prison, and a maximum of life. U.S. District Judge Robert W. Gettleman did not immediately set a sentencing date. A separate jury in 2019 convicted Stafford of illegally possessing three assault rifles.
The handguns and rifles illegally possessed by Stafford were linked to thefts from a cargo train that passed through Chicago in September 2016. Stafford sold 101 grams of heroin to an individual who, unbeknownst to him, was cooperating with law enforcement just a day before his arrest on November 2, 2016. The sale took place at his residence in Bellwood, Illinois.
The convictions are the result of a federal investigation led by the FBI’s Chicago Field Office. The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Cook County Sheriff’s Office, Evergreen Park Police Department, and Bolingbrook Police Department also provided substantial assistance.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Saurish Appleby-Bhattacharjee and Alejandro Ortega represented the government in the case. The convictions underscore the importance of law enforcement’s efforts to combat gun and drug trafficking in the Chicago area.
A sentencing date has not yet been set for Stafford. He faces up to life in prison for his convictions. The case highlights the ongoing struggle against gun and drug violence in suburban Chicago.
The convictions are a significant blow to gun and drug traffickers in the Chicago area. As law enforcement continues to crack down on these crimes, the community can expect to see a reduction in gun and drug violence.
Key Facts
- State: Illinois
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime|Weapons
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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