Waukegan Pair Illegally Ran Guns In Lake, Cook County: AG

WAUKEGAN, IL — Two Lake County men have been charged with trying to sell guns, some of which were reported to be stolen, in Lake and Cook counties, Illinois State Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced on Wednesday.

Cesar Morales, 25, Waukegan, and Agustin Prado, 28, Waukegan, with gunrunning and the unlawful sale or delivery of firearms, Raoul’s office announced. Morales faces three counts of gunrunning charges, as well as one count of the unlawful sale of weapons along with three counts of armed violence and two counts of the unlawful delivery of a controlled substance.

Prado faces two counts of gunrunning and two counts of the unlawful sale or delivery of firearms. If convicted, Morales could face more than 100 years in prison while Prado could face up to 29 years in prison, officials said.

Raoul alleges that the two men worked together in June and July to deliver the guns to two counties. Raoul alleges that between June and August, Morales illegally sold 10 additional firearms. Of the 16 firearms illegally sold, five were reported stolen, the attorney general said.

Both men are being held in the Lake County Jail and Prado is expected back in court on Friday while Morales is scheduled to appear in court next on Sept. 27.

“Illegal gun and drug sales fuel gang activity and make our neighborhoods less safe,” Raoul said. “These charges are the result of a collaborative effort between my office, federal entities and local law enforcement agencies to address gun trafficking and violence in our communities.”

Attorney General Raoul’s office will co-prosecute this case with the Lake County State Attorney Eric Rinehart’s office.