2 Men Charged After Illegal Guns Found During Traffic Stop: Sheriff

CHICAGO HEIGHTS, IL — Two men are facing felony gun charges after two loaded firearms were found during a traffic stop in Chicago Heights, the Cook County Sheriff's Office said.

At approximately 9:50 p.m. on Aug. 28, Sheriff's Police Organized Crime Division investigators stopped a Dodge Charger near the intersection of West 26th and Aberdeen streets for no front registration. Investigators learned that there was suspected cannabis in the vehicle and asked the driver 24-year-old Joel Saldana and his passenger 21-year-old Jesus Ramirez to step out of the vehicle for a drug investigation, according to police.

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While searching the vehicle, investigators recovered two loaded firearms, one of which had a laser/flashlight attached to it. Both men were taken into custody, the sheriff's office said.

After being issued their Miranda Warning, each man claimed ownership of a gun, and neither man had a FOID or a concealed carry license. Ramirez was also on probation for felony gun possession conviction at the time of his arrest, according to authorities.

On Aug. 29, the Cook County State's Attorney's Office approved aggravated unlawful possession of weapon charge against each of them. Saldana was also charged with unlawful possession of cannabis by a driver.

Later that day, both men appeared for their initial court hearing at the Markham Courthouse, where Saldana, of Park Forest, were ordered released from custody and Ramirez, of Lynwood, was ordered to Cook County Jail custody.