Most Illinoisans have to wait weeks or months before they can legally carry a concealed firearm. Illegally, though, it’s much easier.
In fact, prosecutors say a Chicago man managed to be arrested for illegally possessing a handgun this month just six days after he got out of prison for attempted murder.
Prosecutors said Juravius Gadberry, 35, was the front seat passenger of a car that police pulled over for a traffic violation early August 9 in the Garfield Park neighborhood.
Cops said Gadberry made “furtive movements” toward the floorboard as they approached, and officers allegedly smelled alcohol coming from inside the car. After removing Gadberry and the driver from the vehicle, police saw a loaded handgun sticking out from under the seat where Gadberry had been sitting, prosecutors said.
Six days earlier, on August 3, Gadberry was paroled out of Stateville Correctional Center where he was serving a 12-year sentence for attempted murder, according to state records.
Prosecutors charged Gadberry with being a felon in possession of a firearm.
“I would note his most recent felony was 12 years ago,” public defender Courtney Smallwood told Judge David Navarro during a bond court appearance.
“I get what you’re arguing,” Navarro replied while countering that Gadberry had essentially been in prison for those 12 years.
Essentially, but not entirely.
State records show Gadberry was previously paroled March 3, but he was sent back to prison on June 25 for violating the terms of release — then the state rereleased him on August 3.
While he was out on the March parole, Indiana police arrested Gadberry for violating a protective order in Elkhart County. Last August, prosecutors there charged him with domestic battery in the presence of a child, strangulation and domestic battery, according to a local media report.
He has previously served prison time for narcotics and being a felon in possession of a firearm, according to state records.
The Illinois Department of Corrections this month asked Cook County authorities to hold Gadberry without bail while they consider revoking his parole again for the new gun allegations. Judge Navarro agreed to do that, and he also set bail on the gun charge at $100,000. Whenever Gadberry becomes eligible for release, he will need to post a $10,000 deposit bond to get out of jail.
Update February 18, 2022 — Gadberry pleaded guilty today to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm with a previous conviction. Judge Kenneth Wadas sentenced him to seven years, according to court records.
