Federal Law Enforcement Seizes Eleven Firearms, Ammunition, and Twenty Machine Gun Conversion Devices From Chicago Residence; Two Suspected Gang Members Arrested

CHICAGO - Federal law enforcement this week arrested two suspected gang members and seized eleven firearms, ammunition, and twenty machine gun conversion devices from their Chicago residence.

Criminal complaints filed in U.S. District Court in Chicago charge JULIAN TORRES, 19, and BRANDON OSORIO, 29, with possession of a machine gun. Torres and Osorio were arrested on Monday. Today, U.S. Magistrate Judge Maria Valdez granted the government's motion for both defendants to remain detained pending trial.

Law enforcement on Monday of this week conducted a court-authorized search of Torres's and Osorio's residence in the Chicago Lawn neighborhood on Chicago's Southwest Side. During the search, agents discovered a short-barrel rifle and ten handguns, one of which was equipped with an extended magazine, the charge alleges. Agents also discovered 20 machine gun conversion devices, which when affixed to a firearm allow it to operate like a machine gun, meaning the gun would be able to fire multiple rounds with a single pull of the trigger. The search also turned up assorted ammunition and firearm accessories, the complaints state.

During the detention hearing in federal court today, Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirsten Moran advised the Court that Torres and Osorio are members of the 31st and Morgan Satan's Disciples, a Chicago street gang that allegedly engages in illegal firearms trafficking, drug trafficking, and other criminal offenses. The Court was also advised that the gang used Torres's and Osorio's residence as a hub for its illegal activities.

The complaints and arrests were announced by Andrew S. Boutros, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, Douglas S. DePodesta, Special Agent-in-Charge of the FBI Chicago Field Office, and Larry Snelling, Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department. Valuable assistance was provided by the Illinois Secretary of State Police and the Illinois Army National Guard Counterdrug Program. The officials noted that the investigation remains ongoing.

The public is reminded that a complaint is not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.