Man Sentenced to More Than Six Years in Federal Prison for Unlawfully Dealing Shotguns and Other Firearms in Chicago

 CHICAGO — A federal judge has sentenced a man to more than six years in prison for unlawfully dealing shotguns and other firearms in Chicago.

PARIS STEELE illegally sold five firearms in Chicago in 2016 and 2017 to an individual who, unbeknownst to Steele, was cooperating with law enforcement.  The firearms included two shotguns, two handguns, and a rifle.  The serial number on one of the handguns had been obliterated to prevent tracing by law enforcement.  In addition to the unlawful gun deals, Steele also sold to the cooperating individual more than 30 grams of crack cocaine.

In 2017, while Steele was on bond and awaiting trial in this case, he appeared in videos on social media holding a firearm and threatening violence against others.

Steele, 23, of Chicago, pleaded guilty to federal firearm and drug charges.  U.S. District Judge Ronald A. Guzman on Tuesday sentenced Steele to six years and eight months in federal prison.

The sentence was announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; Kristen de Tineo, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Division of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and David Brown, Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher V. Parente represented the government.