Department of Justice
For Immediate Release
Arkansas Man Sentenced to More Than 7 Years in Federal Prison for Illegally Selling Guns in Chicago Area
CHICAGO — An Arkansas man has been sentenced to more than seven years in federal prison for illegally selling numerous handguns and rifles in Chicago and the suburbs.
KLINT KELLEY brought the firearms from Arkansas to Chicago and illegally sold them to a convicted felon. Kelley sold a total of 21 guns to the felon on three occasions last year, including during the Fourth of July and Labor Day weekends. The weapons included eleven handguns, nine rifles and one shotgun. Several of the firearms were semi-automatic guns capable of accepting large-capacity magazines.
Kelley, 28, of Malvern, Ark., pleaded guilty earlier this year to one count of unlawfully engaging in the business of dealing firearms, and one count of selling firearms to a known felon. U.S. District Judge Ronald A. Guzman on Wednesday sentenced Kelley to seven years and three months in prison.
The sentencing was announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; Celinez Nunez, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Division of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and Eddie Johnson, Superintendent of the Chicago PoliceDepartment. The Illinois State Police provided valuable assistance.
“In a city that has seen shootings and homicides in astronomical numbers, illegal transportation of firearms and to a known convicted felon should not be tolerated,” Assistant U.S.
Attorney Tobara S. Richardson argued in the government’s sentencing memorandum. “Defendant knowingly engaged in criminal conduct that contributes to one of the worst aspects of the city.”
Kelley’s plea agreement describes the three occasions when he illegally 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. On July 3, 2017, on Chicago’s West Side, Kelley sold the felon four handguns and one semi-automatic rifle, in exchange for $3,000 in cash. On Sept. 3, 2017, in a commercial area of southwest suburban Chicago Ridge, Kelley sold the felon five rifles, two handguns and one semi-automatic shotgun, in exchange for $7,000 in cash.
At least three of the 21 firearms had been reported stolen, including one gun taken in a burglary of a police officer’s residence.
Kelley grew up in Illinois and moved to Arkansas several years ago.
# # #