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player ready...Two men charged with stealing more than 50 guns from a Zion gun store, an incident authorities had been investigating as part of a potential retaliation plan for the fatal police shooting of Justus Howell, entered not guilty pleas Wednesday in Lake County court.
Lawrence Taylor and Clarence Williams, both 18-year-old Zion residents, pleaded not guilty to aggravated possession of stolen firearms in excess of 30 guns, a Class X felony that carries a sentencing range of six to 60 years in prison upon conviction.
Both men also pleaded not guilty to burglary, a Class 2 felony that can result in three to seven years in prison.
After they were arrested in June, officials indicated that the gun theft could have been part of a plan to retaliate against Zion police for the officer-involved fatal shooting of 17-year-old Howell on April 4. Lake County State’s Attorney Michael Nerheim later ruled the shooting was justified, citing evidence that Howell was running from police with a stolen gun.
On Wednesday, after Taylor and Williams were arraigned, Assistant State’s Attorney Reginald Mathews said he had no comment on whether the retaliation possibility was still being investigated.
Mathews said a witness told investigators in early June that a group planned to sell some of the guns allegedly taken from 5 Star Firearms to retaliate against Zion police, but he stressed officials were not necessarily giving credence to that claim.
Taylor and Williams entered their pleas before Judge Victoria Rossetti, who set an initial trial date of Aug. 10 for both men.
Assistant State’s Attorney Rod Drobinski said, and Rossetti reaffirmed, that while the burglary charge can result in a probationary or periodic imprisonment sentence, Williams would not be eligible for those options if convicted because he already has a burglary conviction on his record.
The charges resulted from the theft of about 55 rifles, semi-automatic handguns and shotguns in two alleged break-ins the night of May 31 and early June 1.
Taylor also pleaded not guilty to aggravated possession of between six and 10 stolen firearms allegedly found during a subsequent search of his house. That count carries a potential sentencing range of between six and 30 years.
Both men remain in custody of the Lake County Jail with Taylor’s bail set at $750,000 and Williams’ bail set at $500,000.
The two break-ins at the Zion gun store were caught on surveillance video, according to the state’s attorney’s office. A search of Taylor’s home turned up 10 guns, authorities said.
Investigators have said Taylor is affiliated with a street gang. It is unclear whether the men have any connection to Howell, Mathews said previously.
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