Categories: Chicago

6 years in prison for man boarding Belmont CTA Platform with AK-47

A man has gotten himself in trouble with the law as he has been sentenced to 6 years in prison for bringing an AK-47 to a platform. He had strapped the rifle to his chest. He had tried to sneak the weapon onto a North Side CTA platform. He was already in trouble with the law as he brought the rifle to the station.

The U.S. attorney’s office of the Northern District of Illinois have identified the man as Jordan Watkins. He is 31-years old. The U.S. attorney’s office of the Northern District of Illinois have said in a statement that he was already on parole on July 29, 2017 when he had brought a loaded rifle on the Belmont station’s platform at 945 W. Belmont Ave.

The Chicago Police have identified the loaded weapon as AK-47. The prosecutors say that Watkins had more ammunition than the loaded weapon. They say that he was carrying a messenger bag with two 30-round magazines. They also say that one of them had four rounds.

Prosecutors say that the officials had gotten a tip from someone as he/she called 911 to report a man. The mysterious informant had said that someone “had a gun on him and like a really big clip.” The police wasted no time and responded to the call at 6:23 a.m. They had arrested Watkins on the southbound platform. Prosecutors say that the weapon holder had pleaded guilty to a federal charge of illegal gun possession by a felon last year.

U.S. District Judge Andrea Wood has announced the verdict on Wednesday. The judge has sentenced him to 6 years and 5 months in federal prison. The Illinois Department of Corrections say that Watkins was on parole when he committed the illegal gun possession crime. He was convicted of armed robbery and possession of a controlled substance. He had been released from prison in August 2016.

Adyson Sipes

Staff writer for the Chicago Morning Star

Recent Posts

DeRozan, Kings Top Knicks as Bulls Win Thriller

DeMar DeRozan scored 27 points, and Zach LaVine added 25 as the Sacramento Kings earned their third straight win, defeating…

2 days ago

Chicago Employment Index Falls to Lowest Level Since 2009

Chicago businesses recorded their weakest employment reading in more than a decade, according to new data released by the Illinois…

3 days ago

Chicago Small Businesses Enter 2026 With Cautious Outlook

As 2026 begins, small businesses across Chicagoland are adjusting expectations after a year defined by economic uncertainty, according to new…

3 days ago

Illinois Approves New Regional Transit Authority Overhaul

Illinois lawmakers have approved a major overhaul of public transportation governance in the Chicago region, creating a new regional oversight…

5 days ago

Mammoth Seek Wild-Card Push vs. Blues in Salt Lake

The Utah Mammoth will try to move back into playoff position Friday night when they host the St. Louis Blues…

1 week ago

Phillies to Meet With Free Agent Shortstop Bo Bichette

The Philadelphia Phillies have scheduled a meeting with free agent shortstop Bo Bichette, according to a report by The Athletic.…

1 week ago

This website uses cookies.