Two Chicago Men Charged in Federal Investigation for Illegal Firearms and Cocaine Trafficking
Following an undercover investigation targeting illegal firearms and cocaine trafficking in Chicago, two men are facing federal charges. Erik Ocampo has been charged with illegally possessing a machinegun after allegedly selling seven firearms and a Glock “switch” device that can convert a semi-automatic pistol into a fully automatic machinegun. His associate, Gerardo Ibarra, is facing charges for conspiring to distribute cocaine.
According to criminal complaints filed this week in Chicago, Ocampo and Ibarra collaborated between March 19 and June 5 of this year to sell firearms and narcotics to undercover federal agents posing as buyers.
Court documents reveal that Ocampo was the main contact for arranging multiple deals with undercover agents, primarily through phone and text communications. In one instance on March 19, Ocampo arranged the sale of firearms to an undercover agent for $6,000. Ibarra delivered the weapons and collected payment from the agent, as reported in the complaints.
During the exchange, Ibarra was asked by the agent if he had any cocaine, to which he responded affirmatively. Text messages later revealed that Ocampo offered to sell firearms, a switch device, and cocaine to an undercover agent on April 1. The deal was eventually scaled back, but the complaints state that Ocampo demonstrated how the switch device could convert a Glock pistol into a machinegun, as confirmed by the ATF’s Firearms Technology Division.
On May 14, Ocampo and the agent completed a sale that included firearms and cocaine for $16,000 at a specified location in Chicago.
In two other transactions, Ibarra allegedly supplied cocaine to Ocampo for resale to the undercover officers. During a recorded interview, Ibarra admitted to supplying drugs in these transactions and stated that he had been working with Ocampo since at least March to sell cocaine and firearms.
As a result, Ibarra is charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine, while Ocampo is facing charges for knowingly possessing a machinegun.
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