David Lewisbey, Firearms Trafficking, Illinois 2023

David Lewisbey

David Lewisbey, a 24-year-old man from South Holland, Illinois, has been sentenced to nearly 17 years in federal prison for illegally trafficking hundreds of guns from Indiana to Chicago. Lewisbey was convicted of dealing firearms without a federal license, two counts of illegally transporting firearms across state lines, and two counts of interstate travel to sell guns without a license.

On January 1, 2008 to September 12, 2012, Lewisbey would travel to various gun shows in Indiana, where he would purchase duffle bags full of guns. He would then bring these guns back to Chicago, where he would sell them without conducting background checks or keeping any records.

During one 48-hour period, on April 22-23, 2012, Lewisbey bought 43 guns in Indiana and brought them to Chicago, where he delivered them to co-defendant Levaine Tanksley. Tanksley, along with two other co-defendants, sold the guns to an individual who was cooperating with ATF agents.

Judge Ronald Guzman sentenced Lewisbey to 200 months in prison, citing the devastating impact of these actions on the city of Chicago. “This case is a perfect example of where the guns come from . . . and into the hands of gangbangers who then shoot them and kill and wound people,” Judge Guzman said.

Levaine Tanksley, 29, of Chicago, was previously sentenced to 132 months in prison for his role in the scheme. Charles Lemle, 28, of Chicago, was also sentenced to 120 months in prison. Michael Hall, 29, of Chicago, who cooperated with the government and testified against Lewisbey, is awaiting sentencing.

The case was investigated by the Chicago Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Chicago Police Department, and the Illinois State Police, in collaboration with the Chicago High Intensity Drug Trafficking Task Force (HIDTA).

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