It’s time for another round of “You Be The Judge.”
We’ll lay out the details of gun offense allegations that have recently been filed against folks in Chicago. And we’ll give you some background info on the accused. Then, you get to guess how much bond a judge ordered them to pay to go free while awaiting trial (if any).
First up, 22-year-old Lamont Morris.
Police said they pulled over a vehicle in Logan Square around 1:45 a.m. Saturday after they saw it drive onto the sidewalk “several times.” Morris was sitting in the rear passenger seat, police said, and officers said they recovered a loaded handgun from a storage pocket on the back of the seat in front of him. (A semi-automatic rifle was also found behind the driver’s side passenger seat, where another person was seated, police said.)
Prosecutors refused to file felony charges against Morris. Instead, he faces misdemeanor counts of possessing a firearm without a firearm owner’s ID (FOID) card, possessing ammunition without a FOID card, and reckless conduct.
Relevant background? Morris was sentenced to two year’s probation in January 2019 after he pleaded guilty to illegally possessing a firearm. Police said they pulled him over after a shots fired call on the west side and discovered a loaded revolver sitting on the floorboard at his feet.
What did Judge Arthur Willis decide would be an appropriate bail for Morris’ arrest on Saturday? Zero dollars. Willis released Morris on his own recognizance.
Next, let’s say “hello” to 25-year-old Richard Sainka of Brookfield.
Police encountered Sasinka during a traffic stop in Logan Square early on Jan. 23.
During a search of the vehicle, police allegedly found a loaded handgun between the center console and the front passenger seat. Cops said another passenger told them that Sasinka tried to hand the gun to her, but she refused to take it and he put it between the seat and console.
Prosecutors charged Sasinka with being a felon in possession of a weapon, misdemeanor possession of ammunition without a FOID, and felony possession of suspected MDMA.
Background? Sasinka recently completed parole after being sentenced to a five-year prison term for robbing a 14-year-old boy while armed with a knife and a crowbar.
OK, judge. What should Sasinka’s bond be? If you said $500, then you and Judge David Navarro are on the same page.
Finally, let’s meet 20-year-old Jordan Cook of Randolph, Utah.
Security guards called police after Cook and a few of his drinking buddies started causing a disturbance and refused to leave the parking garage at Whole Foods, 1550 North Kingsbury, around 10 p.m. on Jan. 25.
Police had everyone step out of Cook’s pick-up truck for a little chit-chat. When they did, cops allegedly saw a rifle sticking out from under the truck’s passenger seat. The whole thing was recorded on police body cameras, officers said.
Cook’s friends told police that the truck and rifle belonged to Cook, cops said. And Cook allegedly admitted the same. Police said Cook told them that he was traveling from Utah to Virginia for work and he stopped in Chicago to visit an uncle and “have fun while passing through.”
Prosecutors charged Cook with felony aggravated unlawful use of a weapon.
Background? Nothing known.
So, what’s his bail, judge?
If you said $10,000, you’re right. Per Judge Willis, Cook was required to put down a $1,000 deposit bond to go free before trial. Willis also ordered Cook to return to Chicago for “each and every” court date.