Habitual 'Armed Habitual Criminal' Sentenced To 40 Years For Separate Firearm Convictions

WAUKEGAN, IL — A Lake County judge last week handed down a four-decade prison sentence to a repeat gun offender for separate firearm-related convictions, including one for a shooting that left two men wounded two years ago in Waukegan.

Carnell Wesson, 31, of Zion, was sentenced to 25 years in state prison for the December 2022 Waukegan shooting and another 15 years for a gun charge stemming from a March 2022 arrest in Zion.

Lake County Associate Judge Christopher Lombardo ordered the sentences to run consecutively, citing Wesson’s history of violent behavior and the need to protect the community.

That means Wesson is set to serve 85 percent of the 40-year sentence. Counting his 855 days of credit for time already served, he is expected to spend an additional 31½ years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

Wesson was convicted in two separate jury trials: first in September 2023 for the Zion case and again in October for the Waukegan shooting.

Lake County prosecutors argued for consecutive sentences, presenting evidence of Wesson’s gang affiliation and a violent altercation involving another inmate while in custody.

They described Wesson as a clear danger to the public, pointing to his lengthy criminal history and repeated weapons offenses.

“This offender demonstrated his danger to the community while committing offenses after posting cash bail in 2022,” Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart said in a statement.

“Our very experienced prosecutors continue to hold repeat gun offenders accountable through successful trials and sentencing hearings,” Rinehart said.

Wesson’s most recent conviction stems from a Dec. 12, 2022 shooting in the parking lot of a Waukegan apartment complex that injured him and another man.

Surveillance footage showed Wesson approaching a silver car and appearing to argue with someone inside before jumping back and firing a handgun, according to testimony.

Forensic evidence linked Wesson to 12 of the 13 spent shell casings recovered at the scene. Wesson, who suffered gunshot wounds during the exchange, fled to a nearby SUV and was later identified when he sought treatment at a hospital.

The Waukegan shooting occurred while Wesson was free $15,000 bond, posted in September 2022 after his arrest in a March 2022 Zion firearms case.

During that incident, Zion police recovered two handguns during a traffic stop. Wesson fled the vehicle and was later taken into custody after a search of the car. Forensic testing confirmed his DNA on one of the weapons.

Prosecutors noted that Wesson was able to post bond under the pre-bail reform system, which they argued failed to protect the community.

Under current bail reform laws, prosecutors can petition to detain individuals charged with serious firearm offenses, preventing them from posting cash bond if a judge grants their request to deny defendants pretrial release.

Wesson was convicted of armed habitual criminal and unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon for both incidents, with sentencing ranges of 12 to 60 years combined.

At sentencing, Judge Lombardo agreed with prosecutors’ request for consecutive terms, sentencing Wesson to a combined total of 40 years.