Rockford Teen Charged With Machine Gun Possession After Traffic Stop
A 17-year-old Rockford teen faces felony charges including unlawful possession of a machine gun after police found a loaded weapon with an automatic switch during a traffic stop on East State Street.
Rockford Police arrested a 17-year-old boy and charged him with unlawful possession of a machine gun after officers found a loaded weapon with an automatic firing switch during a routine traffic stop.
The Traffic Stop
According to police, officers conducted the stop around 6:47 p.m. on Thursday, May 14 at the intersection of East State Street and Third Street in Rockford.
During the encounter, officers discovered a loaded handgun equipped with an automatic switch and an extended magazine inside the vehicle.
Charges Filed
The Winnebago County State's Attorney's Office filed two felony charges against the teen:
- Aggravated unlawful possession of a weapon
- Unlawful possession of a machine gun
Machine gun possession is a serious felony under Illinois law. Federal law also prohibits civilians from owning fully automatic firearms manufactured after 1986 without special licensing.
A Pattern in Rockford
This arrest follows a similar incident earlier this year. On May 6, Rockford police arrested a different teen after finding a modified handgun near a local school, according to a previous Illinois State News report.
Rockford has seen multiple youth gun arrests this year as the city grapples with illegal firearms circulating among minors.
What Comes Next
The 17-year-old faces a court date as the case moves through the Winnebago County criminal justice system. Because the defendant is a minor, details about his identity and court proceedings may be sealed under Illinois juvenile law.
Rockford Police did not immediately respond to a request for additional details about the investigation.