Department of Justice

CHICAGO — A convicted felon from Chicago was arraigned today on a federal firearm charge for illegally possessing three handguns on the city’s South Side.

 

DERRICK CLAIBORNE, 43, of Chicago, pleaded not guilty to one count of illegal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.  U.S. Magistrate Judge Sidney I. Schenkier ordered Claiborne to remain detained in federal custody.

Claiborne was one of four defendants indicted last month as part of a federal investigation that disrupted a Missouri-to-Chicago firearms pipeline.  The probe, led by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, revealed that numerous handguns were brought to Chicago last year by two Missouri residents – JUMONTA MOORE and MARCUS INGRAM, according to a criminal complaint and affidavit previously filed in the case.  Moore and Ingram then supplied the guns to JAMES SAUNDERS, a convicted felon from Chicago, who illegally sold some of the firearms to confidential informants who were cooperating with law enforcement, the complaint states.  Saunders also allegedly sold three guns to Claiborne.

 

All four defendants were recently arrested.

 

The indictment was announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; Timothy Jones, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Division of ATF; and Eddie Johnson, Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department.  The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared C. Jodrey.

 

Saunders, 47, is charged with five counts of illegal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and one count of dealing firearms without a license.  On Friday, Saunders pleaded not guilty to the charges.  He remains in federal custody. 

 

Ingram, 26, of Charleston, Mo., is charged with two counts of illegal transportation of a firearm by a person under felony indictment.  Ingram allegedly transported five handguns to Chicago last fall while under an unrelated felony indictment in Scott County, Mo.  Ingram pleaded not guilty to the federal charges during his arraignment earlier this month.  He remains in federal custody.

 

Moore, 20, of Sikeston, Mo., is charged with one count of illegal transportation of a firearm by a person under felony indictment.  Moore allegedly transported two handguns to Chicago last June while under an unrelated felony indictment in New Madrid County, Mo.  Moore pleaded not guilty to the federal charge during his arraignment last month.  Judge Schenkier ordered Moore released from custody on a $50,000 appearance bond.

 

Claiborne was previously convicted of two felonies, including a gun-related conviction, and was not lawfully allowed to possess a firearm when he allegedly purchased three handguns from Saunders last fall in Chicago’s Woodlawn neighborhood.

 

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

 

Dealing firearms without a license is punishable by a maximum sentence of five years in prison.  Illegal possession by a convicted felon carries a maximum sentence of ten years.  Illegal transportation by a person under felony indictment is punishable by up to ten years.  If convicted, the Court must impose reasonable sentences under federal statutes and the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.