Cook County, IL – A Hazel Crest man has been charged after allegedly carrying a loaded automatic firearm during a funeral in Thornton Township this week.
According to the Cook County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were called to a cemetery in the 600 block of Ridge Road at about 1:35 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 12, on reports of a man with a gun. Responding officers say they located 22-year-old Jermaine Johnson, who matched the description given by witnesses.
During a pat-down, deputies allegedly found a loaded 9 mm Glock equipped with a laser sight and an illegal switch device that converted the firearm into a fully automatic weapon. Authorities say Johnson did not have a valid Firearm Owner’s Identification Card or a Concealed Carry License.
Johnson was taken into custody and charged with possession of a machine gun/automatic weapon, a Class X felony, along with aggravated unlawful possession of a weapon. Court officials ordered him held at Cook County Jail following an initial appearance Wednesday, Sept. 13, at the George N. Leighton Criminal Courthouse.
According to the sheriff’s office, the public is reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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