Walter Freeman, Gun Trafficking, Illinois 2023

Crime Journal: Guns for Crack in Chicago

A federal judge today sentenced Walter Freeman, 36, of Lisle, to 16 years in prison for putting at least 80 firearms into the hands of known gang members on the streets of Chicago.

Freeman obtained the guns from Timothy Vana, a co-defendant, in exchange for crack cocaine. He later sold the guns to individuals he knew to be members of Chicago street gangs. Several of the guns were used in shootings and other crimes in and around Chicago.

Freeman pleaded guilty last year to one count of knowingly and intentionally distributing a controlled substance, and one count of knowingly possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. He also stipulated to being a felon in possession of a firearm in a charge that was filed in a separate indictment.

“Defendant’s possession and sale of at least 80 weapons directly contributed to the violence that our city faces,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennie Levin said in the government’s sentencing memorandum. “He has victimized the entire Chicago community.”

According to a written plea agreement, Freeman sold approximately seven grams of crack cocaine per week to a regular group of customers from 2008 to 2013. He also admitted selling crack cocaine to an undercover law enforcement agent on several occasions in 2011 and 2012.

Freeman obtained 40 guns from Vana between 1999 and 2001, and another 40 between 2010 and 2011. The guns included revolvers and semi-automatic weapons. Vana had stolen the guns from an avid firearms collector who resided at Vana’s family’s home in Bolingbrook.

The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives later recovered many of the weapons after they had been involved in shootings and other crimes in and around Chicago. ATF agents traced the serial numbers of the guns and learned they had been purchased by the same owner, who resided in Vana’s family’s house. Further investigation revealed the drugs-for-guns arrangement between Vana and Freeman.

Vana, 54, of Forest Park, pleaded guilty last month to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm, and one count of knowingly possessing a firearm that he had reasonable cause to believe was stolen. Vana’s sentencing hearing before U.S. District Judge Elaine E. Bucklo will be scheduled at a later date.

The government is represented by Ms. Levin.

Mandatory Facts:

Defendant/Respondent: Walter Freeman

Criminal Charges: One count of knowingly and intentionally distributing a controlled substance, one count of knowingly possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime

City and State: Chicago, Illinois

Exact Date: Not specified

Sentence or Outcome: 16 years in prison

Dollar Amounts: Not applicable

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndil/pr/west-suburban-drug-dealer-sentenced-16-years-prison-selling-dozens-guns-later-used