Three Chicago men are facing federal charges after authorities say they tried to rob an undercover agent Thursday morning during a planned firearm transaction in the Pullman area.
Jeremy Jones, 19, allegedly set up the meeting through Instagram, where he advertised two handguns for sale, according to a criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court.
An undercover agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives arranged to buy the guns and met with Jones, Christopher Densmore, 22, and Carmell Massey, 20, in a Walmart parking lot in the 10900 block of South Doty Avenue.
Authorities allege the encounter escalated when the agent approached the suspects’ car with $600 in government funds to buy one of the guns. The agent then began struggling with Jones, who pointed a handgun at the agent. The agent fired a shot, striking the suspects’ vehicle. No injuries were reported.
The three men tried to flee, but were quickly blocked in and arrested. Investigators recovered a Ruger handgun from the car, and the money was later recovered, according to the complaint. Authorities said Jones and Densmore later admitted they had planned the robbery in advance.
All three are charged with attempted robbery of U.S. property and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. The firearm charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years in prison, while the attempted robbery charge carries a maximum of 25 years.
The three men were due for their first federal court appearance Friday afternoon.
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