CPS Teacher Conspired To Deal Guns, Ammo In FBI Sting, Feds Say

CHICAGO, IL — A Chicago Public Schools elementary school special education teacher has been charged with federal firearms charges following an FBI sting operation that found him conspiring with a juvenile — for whom he is believed to be the legal guardian — to deal guns and ammo to a convicted felon. Brent Turpin, 53, was arrested Tuesday and charged with one count of conspiracy to dispose of a firearm and ammunition to a known felon and one count of disposing of ammunition to a known felon.

The feds began an investigation into Turpin when "the FBI obtained information" that the public school teacher was providing guns to both juveniles and felons, according to an FBI affidavit detailing recorded conversations and meetings. So they recruited a source who was "personally close" with Turpin's ward and with whom Turpin was already familiar.

Turpin and the confidential informant traveled to an Indiana gun show in June as part of his efforts to acquire a firearm for a felon, prosecutors said. Turpin allegedly knew that the informant, who explained he was "on probation and [expletive]" and was unable to purchase a gun, but he nonetheless coached the informant on how to get avoid scrutiny from police.

"If they say where are you from, say like say South Bend, or something or Indianapolis...there will be law enforcement there...they don't check nothing, they're just there so I just wanted to let you know," Turpin told the informant, according to the complaint's transcript of conversations allegedly recorded by the FBI.

Turpin appears to have gotten spooked at the gun show and refused to buy anything, seemingly because he did not wish to sign his name or present his driver's license. Still, feds persisted and on Aug. 1 and 2, Turpin allegedly provided the confidential informant with a laser gun sight, an extended magazine and two boxes of ammunition.

The informant, who has prior convictions for firearms related offenses, was paid $8,170 and received a reduced sentence on one of his cases, according to the federal complaint. (Get Patch real-time email alerts for the latest news for Chicago — or your neighborhood. And iPhone users: Check out Patch's new app.)

Turpin has been a CPS teacher since 2008. He has taught special education classes since 2010 at Kershaw Elementary School, 6450 S. Lowe Ave. in the Englewood neighborhood, DNAinfo reported. His salary is listed as $78,000 a year and he describes himself as an" all around decent guy," in his Twitter bio.

"The vast majority of CPS employees embrace their unique opportunity to serve as positive role models for young people in our city, which makes these allegations so disturbing and out of the ordinary for our school district," a CPS spokesperson said in a statement. "The employee in question has been removed from his position while the investigation proceeds, and our staff is focused on supporting the school community during this difficult time."

Lawrence Levin, who is representing Turpin, promised to fight the charges on behalf of the suspended educator, according to the website.

Turpin faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in federal prison if convicted of all charges.

Read the complete federal complaint:

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