The Illinois State Police accidentally approved a convicted felon for gun ownership and concealed carry licenses, prosecutors said Monday. Now, that man is accused of having a pile of weapons, a Kevlar vest, and over $114,000 worth of pot and heroin in his home.
Chicago police armed with a search warrant raided Tracey Massey’s home in Englewood at 2 a.m. Sunday, authorities said during a bond court hearing Monday. Officers reportedly found a loaded handgun in his family room. But cops really hit pay dirt in the 52-year-old’s second-floor bedroom, according to prosecutors.
There, officers found a loaded 12-gauge shotgun, a loaded “AR-15 style” rifle, an unloaded rifle, an unloaded handgun, body armor, and a duffle bag containing more than eight pounds of marijuana, prosecutors said.
In Massey’s kitchen, police seized another 1.5 pounds of pot and more than a half-pound of heroin, according to the state. The total value of the drugs, prosecutors said, is $114,705.
Chicago cops contacted the Illinois State Police after the raid and learned the agency mistakenly issued Massey a Firearm Owner’s ID card and a concealed carry license. Massey is not eligible for the credentials because he was convicted of manufacture-delivery of drugs in 1990, prosecutors said.
A defense attorney told Judge John Lyke that Massey currently teaches concealed carry classes and works as an unarmed security guard. And, the attorney pointed out, the state gave Massey a license to possess the guns.
Massey appears to run a “Certified Conceal & Carry Class Chicago” Facebook page.
“Don’t wait until something happens,” says one post on the page from earlier this year. “YOU are your own first responder!! Get your Conceal Carry. I’d rather have it & NOT need it…than to need it and NOT have it.”
Prosecutors charged Massey with five counts of unlawful use of a weapon by a felon, felony armed violence, felony possession of body armor, felony possession of heroin, and felony possession of cannabis.
Judge Lyke set Massey’s bail at $114,000 — the approximate value of the drugs police say they seized from Massey’s home. If Massey can post a 10% deposit bond, he’ll need to demonstrate that the money did not come from illegal activities, Lyke said.
Update May 28, 2022 — A grand jury returned a 15-count true bill against Massey shortly after his bail hearing. Prosecutors dropped all charges on May 3, 2022. Judge Joseph Claps oversaw the case.