CHICAGO — A Chicago felon pleaded guilty in federal court Tuesday to brokering the sales of more than 70 illegal guns.
John "Batman" Thomas, 33, could face up to 25 years in prison on counts of dealing guns without a license and illegally possessing a gun, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Illinois announced in a news release Tuesday.
A sentencing hearing is slated for June 30 in front of U.S. District Judge Andrea R. Wood.
According to prosecutors, the case against Thomas arose out of a larger probe of illegal gun sales in Chicago.
Thomas pleaded guilty Tuesday to either personally selling or arranging the sales of 77 illegal guns — including rifles, shotguns and handguns, prosecutors said. According to court records, many of the guns had defaced serial numbers or had been reported stolen. Thomas made at least $5,700 in the transactions.
“Illegally brokering the sale of guns on the streets of Chicago poses a tremendous danger to the community,” Acting U.S. Attorney Joel Levin said in a statement. “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.”
According to prosecutors, one of the sales took place July 23, 2014, when Thomas arranged a meeting for Jamel Davis that involved the sale of two .38-caliber guns in the 7600 block of South Seeley Avenue.
Davis was convicted by a federal jury last year of illegal possession of a gun by a felon. He faces up to 10 years in prison when he is sentenced later this month.
Thomas was previously convicted of manufacturing and delivering a controlled substance (2001), attempted criminal trespass (2003), battery (2004), aggravated assault (2005), possession of marijuana (2006), unlawful use of a weapon by a felon (2006) and aggravated DUI (2008), court records show.
