Two Chicago residents have been arrested following an undercover federal firearm investigation in the suburbs of Chicago, according to a criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court.
Matthew Barraza, 21, is accused of selling a loaded handgun equipped with a machine gun conversion device to an undercover law enforcement officer for $2,000 on February 5, 2026. The transaction took place at a gas station in Bolingbrook, Illinois. According to authorities, the firearm had an extended magazine containing 19 rounds of .40 caliber ammunition. During the same encounter, Barraza also allegedly sold approximately 127 grams of cocaine to the undercover officer for $3,600. He faces charges including unlicensed dealing of a firearm, possession of a machine gun, and distribution of a controlled substance.
A separate complaint was filed against Edwin Moreno, 27. Prosecutors allege that Moreno possessed a firearm with a machine gun conversion device on January 15, 2026 while providing what he believed was security for tow operators during an alleged vehicle repossession in Joliet, Illinois. The tow operators were actually undercover law enforcement officers.
Both individuals were taken into custody on Wednesday. Detention hearings are scheduled for February 25, 2026 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Laura K. McNally.
The arrests and charges were announced by Andrew S. Boutros, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; Christopher Amon, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Division of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; and with assistance from the Joliet Metropolitan Area Narcotics Squad. Assistant U.S. Attorney Saqib Mohammad Hussain is representing the government.
"The charges and arrests were announced by Andrew S. Boutros, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Christopher Amon, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Division of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives."
"Substantial assistance was provided by the Joliet Metropolitan Area Narcotics Squad."
"The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Saqib Mohammad Hussain."
Barraza and Moreno will remain in custody pending their detention hearings later this month.
