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Darius Morales Convicted of Illegally Possessing Handgun
A federal jury has convicted 31-year-old Darius Morales of illegally possessing a semi-automatic handgun in Evanston. Morales, a resident of Evanston, was found guilty of the charge after a three-day trial in federal court in Chicago.
According to court documents, Morales was a passenger in a silver Jeep Commander that sped away from police after shots were fired in an alley on May 8, 2019. Morales left the gun on a fence and fled on foot, but was eventually arrested a few blocks away.
Morales had previously been convicted of multiple felonies, making him ineligible to possess a gun. His conviction is punishable by up to ten years in federal prison.
U.S. District Judge Amy J. St. Eve heard the trial and scheduled sentencing for November 29, 2021, at 1:00 p.m.
The conviction was announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Robert J. Bell, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Division of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
The government was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jeannice Appenteng and Charles W. Mulaney, who received substantial assistance from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Evanston Police Department, and the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office.
The case highlights the ongoing efforts to combat gun violence in the region. Morales’ conviction serves as a reminder that those who illegally possess firearms will be held accountable for their actions.
Key Facts
- State: Illinois
- Category: Weapons
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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