CHICAGO, Ill. — Authorities say a gun trafficking ring operating between Chicago and Indianapolis has been disrupted after police seized 20 firearms and three machinegun conversion devices and charged five individuals, including a 17-year-old boy.
The arrests were made Friday in south suburban Lansing, following a multi-agency investigation targeting a coordinated effort to smuggle illegal guns into Illinois.
Details of the Trafficking Operation
According to the Chicago Police Department, the five suspects were apprehended as part of a firearm trafficking probe led in collaboration with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Cook County Sheriff’s Department.
The operation uncovered 20 firearms, including pistols and rifles, along with three machinegun conversion devices capable of turning semi-automatic weapons into fully automatic firearms.
Who Was Charged?
The suspects, all from Indianapolis, Indiana, face multiple gunrunning and weapons charges in Cook County:
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Justin Anderson, 19 — Charged with gunrunning, unlawful use of a weapon, and unlawful sale of a firearm.
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Montez Wells Jr., 18 — Charged with gunrunning and unlawful use of a weapon.
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Todd Williams, 23 — Charged with gunrunning, unlawful use of a weapon, and aggravated fleeing.
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Jaylen Powell, 18 — Charged with gunrunning and unlawful use of a weapon.
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Unnamed 17-year-old boy — Charged with gunrunning and two counts of selling a firearm without a valid FOID card.
Authorities released booking photos of the adult suspects, emphasizing that the group was working in tandem to transport and distribute firearms illegally across state lines.
Joint Investigation Across State Lines
The gunrunning ring’s alleged Indiana-to-Illinois route echoes a familiar pipeline that has long frustrated Illinois law enforcement. The majority of firearms recovered from Chicago crime scenes, according to prior CPD data, often originate from out-of-state sources, particularly Indiana, where gun laws are more permissive.
“Operations like this highlight the importance of cooperation between agencies,” police said, referencing the collaboration between the ATF Chicago Field Division, Chicago Police, and Cook County Sheriff’s Office.
What’s Next for the Suspects?
All five suspects have been charged in Cook County. Court proceedings for the group were scheduled to begin on Saturday, though officials have not yet released information about potential federal charges or additional co-conspirators.
The investigation remains ongoing.
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