Chicago man pleads guilty to facilitating over 70 illegal gun sales

A Chicago man pleaded guilty Tuesday to brokering more than 70 illegal gun sales, the U.S. attorney’s office announced.

John Thomas, 33, who is also known as “Batman,” pleaded guilty to one count of dealing firearms without a license and two counts of possessing a firearm while being a felon. Thomas could be sentenced to a maximum of 25 years in prison for the conviction.

“Illegally brokering the sale of guns on the streets of Chicago poses a tremendous danger to the community,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joel Levin. “Prosecuting firearms offenses is a top priority in our office, and we will continue our efforts to disrupt the availability of illegal guns in our city.”

The case against Thomas rose out of a larger federal probe that has resulted in the seizure of more than 100 illegal guns in Chicago.

Thomas admitted in his plea that he either arranged the illegal firearm sales or obtained the guns and sold them himself. He was caught when selling guns to individuals cooperating with law enforcement on the investigation.

One of the sales took place with Jamel Davis, convicted last year of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Two .38 caliber revolvers were sold during that transaction.

Thomas was also previously convicted of a felony and thus prohibited from possessing a firearm. He is set to be sentenced in June.

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