The Lake County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Group (SIG), a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA)-funded task force, with the close assistance of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) – Chicago Field Division, concluded an investigation that resulted in the arrest of a North Chicago man for gunrunning and multiple other weapons offenses.
Members of SIG began an investigation after receiving a tip that Eric Raines-Sylvestre, 20, of the 2000 block of Sherman Avenue, North Chicago, was illegally selling firearms, some being manufactured with a 3D printer, known as unserialized ‘ghost guns.’
During the course of the investigation, which lasted several months, undercover SIG detectives purchased ten firearms from Raines-Sylvestre and 26 machine gun conversion kits, which turn a semiautomatic firearm into full-auto. Some of the firearms sold by Raines-Sylvestre were stolen firearms from Lake County and Cook County.
On May 9, 2025, the facts of the case were presented to a Statewide Grand Jury by the Illinois Attorney General’s Office. The Statewide Grand Jury indicted Raines-Sylvestre on the following charges:
• Gunrunning (Class 1 Felony)
• Two counts of Unlawful Possession of a Weapon (Class 2 Felonies)
• Ten counts of Unlawful Sale of a Firearm (Class 4 Felonies)
• Nine counts of Unlawful Sale of an Unserialized Firearm (Class 4 Felonies)
A direct indictment warrant was issued for Raines-Sylvestre, following the indictment. Raines-Sylvestre was arrested without incident on May 19, 2025, when SIG detectives conducted a traffic stop on his vehicle.
Raines-Sylvestre remains held in the Lake County Jail pending a detention hearing this afternoon.
Sheriff John D. Idleburg said, “This case is a powerful example of what’s possible when agencies come together with a shared mission of keeping our communities safe. These are ten firearms and dozens of potentially converted machine guns that we’ve been able to take off the streets and out of the hands of dangerous criminals. The ATF – Chicago Field Division brought unmatched expertise and tireless dedication to this investigation, and we’re incredibly proud of our close partnership with them and HIDTA. Together, we’ve disrupted a dangerous operation and held an illegal firearms dealer accountable.”
“Individuals who illegally possess and traffic machinegun conversion devices pose a grave threat to law enforcement and the communities they protect. Our partnerships and investigations remain steadfast on identifying those individuals, their co-conspirators and sources and holding them accountable for their actions,” states Chicago Field Division Special Agent-in-Charge Christopher Amon.
All defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.