Two Chicago residents have been arrested following an undercover federal investigation into illegal firearms activity in the suburbs of Chicago.
According to a criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court, Matthew Barraza, 21, allegedly sold a loaded handgun equipped with a machine gun conversion device to an undercover law enforcement officer for $2,000 on February 5, 2026. The firearm included an extended magazine containing 19 rounds of .40 caliber ammunition. During the same transaction at a gas station in Bolingbrook, Illinois, Barraza also reportedly sold approximately 127 grams of cocaine for $3,600. He faces charges including unlicensed dealing of a firearm, possession of a machine gun, and distribution of a controlled substance.
A separate complaint accuses Edwin Moreno, 27, also from Chicago, of possessing a machine gun. Authorities allege that Moreno had the weapon—also fitted with a machine gun conversion device—on January 15, 2026 while providing what he believed was security for tow operators during an alleged vehicle repossession in Joliet. According to the complaint, those tow operators were actually undercover officers.
Both Barraza and Moreno were taken into custody on Wednesday. Detention hearings are scheduled for February 25 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Laura K. McNally.
The arrests and charges were announced by Andrew S. Boutros, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; Christopher Amon, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Division of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; with assistance from the Joliet Metropolitan Area Narcotics Squad.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Saqib Mohammad Hussain.
“The charges and arrests were announced by Andrew S. Boutros, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; Christopher Amon, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Division of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; with assistance from the Joliet Metropolitan Area Narcotics Squad.”
“Substantial assistance was provided by the Joliet Metropolitan Area Narcotics Squad.”
“The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Saqib Mohammad Hussain.”
Detention hearings will be held later this month as both men face federal charges related to illegal firearms possession and drug distribution.
