Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

CHICAGO — An Arkansas man was charged today with federal firearms violations for illegally selling numerous handguns, rifles and a shotgun in Chicago and nearby suburbs.

KLINT KELLEY brought the firearms from Arkansas to Chicago and illegally sold them to a convicted felon, according to a criminal complaint and affidavit filed today in federal court in Chicago. Kelley sold the guns to the felon on three occasions this year, including over the Fourth of July and Labor Day weekends, the complaint states. The most recent sale occurred Sunday in Chicago Ridge, after which authorities arrested Kelley.

Kelley, 27, of Malvern, Ark., is charged with three counts of dealing firearms without a license and across state lines, and one count of selling firearms to a known felon. An initial court appearance is scheduled for today at 1:30 p.m., before U.S. Magistrate Judge M. David Weisman in Chicago.

The charges were announced by Joel R. Levin, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; and Celinez Nunez, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Division of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The Chicago Police Department and Illinois State Police participated in the investigation.

The complaint describes the three occasions when Kelley allegedly sold firearms to the felon. On April 3, 2017, in a residence in southwest suburban Frankfort, Kelley sold the felon five handguns and three semi-automatic rifles in exchange for $4,750 in cash, the complaint states. On July 3, 2017, near the United Center on Chicago’s West Side, Kelley sold the felon four handguns and one semi-automatic rifle in exchange for $3,000 in cash, the complaint states. On Sept. 3, 2017, in a commercial area of southwest suburban Chicago Ridge, Kelley sold the felon four semi-automatic rifles, three handguns and one semi-automatic shotgun in exchange for $7,000 in cash, the complaint states.

Kelley grew up in Illinois and moved to Arkansas several years ago, the complaint states.

The public is reminded that a complaint is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

The charge of dealing firearms without a license and across state lines is punishable by a maximum sentence of five years in prison, and the charge of selling firearms to a known felon is punishable by a maximum sentence of ten years in prison. If convicted, the Court must impose a reasonable sentence under federal statutes and the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tobara Richardson.

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