14 charged in Chicago-area gun trafficking operation

CHICAGO (WLS) -- More than 100 guns were seized and 14 Chicago-area defendants face federal charges in connection with a Chicago-area firearms trafficking operation, officials said.

Officials seized 17 firearms from a Gary, Ind. residence Tuesday, taking nine defendants into custody, officials said. Three other defendants had previously been taken into custody.

Three informants, one of which posed as a broker for an individual who sold firearms overseas, were involved in the investigation, officials said. One informant identified John Thomas, 38, as a source of illegal firearms after Thomas allegedly agreed to give the informant firearms in exchange for money, officials said.

The informant also allegedly purchased firearms directly from Steve Thomas, 38, and Wesley Pickett, 25, and had some transactions allegedly arranged via Anthony Logan, 29, officials said. The informant purchased 45 firearms of a total 108 that were seized during the investigation, which began in January, according to the affidavit.

John Thomas and Daniel Bingmon, 36, face felon-in-possession of a 20-gauge shotgun charges. Logan faces charges for felon-in-possession of firearms. Steve Thomas and Pickett face charges for felon-in-possession of firearms.

The following also face charges:

• Daniel Jones, 23, charged with selling firearms without a federal license
• Larry McIntosh, 38, and Charles Hawkins, 31, charged with felon-in-possession of various firearms
• Tyrece McClinton, 24, and Rodearl McElroy, 21, charged with felon-in-possession of firearms
• Traison Watson, 22, charged with illegally possessing and transferring a machine gun with an obliterated serial number
• Stephen Carlos, 26, charged with felon-in-possession of a 12-gauge shotgun
• Kenneth Smith, 30, and Rico Smith, 39, charged with felon-in-possession of firearms