Chicago, IL – A Chicago man is facing a felony weapons charge after Cook County Sheriff’s Police investigators allegedly recovered 20 firearms, dozens of magazines, and more than 2,500 rounds of ammunition while serving a firearm restraining order earlier this month.
According to the Cook County Sheriff’s Office, members of the Sheriff’s Police Gun Investigation Team executed a court-authorized firearm restraining order on Wednesday, July 9, at a residence in the 4200 block of North Leavitt Street.
Authorities said investigators recovered 20 firearms, 62 magazines, and more than 2,500 rounds of ammunition during the search. Detectives also allegedly found one firearm equipped with a conversion device, commonly known as a switch, that made the weapon fully automatic.
The sheriff’s office identified the suspect as John Williams, 50, of Chicago. Officials said Williams allegedly had a revoked Illinois Firearm Owner’s Identification (FOID) card and a revoked concealed carry license at the time of the search.
According to investigators, Williams was taken into custody, and later that day the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office charged him with unlawful possession of a machine gun, a felony under Illinois law. He was ordered detained in the Cook County Jail on Thursday, July 10, following his initial court appearance at the George N. Leighton Criminal Courthouse.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Authorities emphasized that the charge is an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
