Multi-Agency Collaboration Effort Credited

Rockford, Ill. -- The Illinois State Police, Rockford Police Department, Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office, Loves Park Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) conducted a revoked Firearms Owner Identification (FOID) card operation this morning as part of the continuing “Operation Clean Sweep.”

The operation started early Wednesday morning with approximately 25-30 officers from Illinois State Police, Rockford Police, Winnebago County Sheriff’s, Loves Police and the ATF.  Approximately 25 residences were targeted as part of the operation. The purpose of the operation was to ensure individuals with revoked FOID privileges were not illegally possessing or transferring firearms.

The results of Operation Clean Sweep include:

• 11 FOID cards seized
• 4 firearms recovered
• 67 cannabis plants seized from an in-door grow operation
• 400 grams of processed cannabis seized
• 2 arrests for outstanding warrants
• 1 arrest for failure to keep firearm transfer records
• 1 arrest for possession of cannabis with intent to deliver and manufacture of cannabis sativa plants

 The arrests from Operation Clean Sweep:

• Robert M. Webster, 26, of the 4100 block of Old Golf Road, Loves Park, was arrested on an outstanding warrant as well as being charged with failure to maintain a record of firearm transfer.  
• Michael A. Luna, 28, of the 2900 block of Grinnell Court, Rockford, was arrested and charged with possession of 30-500 grams of cannabis and manufacture of cannabis sativa plants, 50-200 plants.
• Kierra D. Thomas, 24, of the 4900 block of Linden Road, Rockford, was arrested on an outstanding warrant.

Law enforcement officials stressed the importance of collaboration, information and resource sharing to root out criminal activity in the community.

“This operation was another collaborative effort between several agencies and continues to demonstrate the effectiveness of law enforcement pooling their resources,” said Illinois State Police Zone 2 Investigations Commander, Captain James Winters.  

 All criminal defendants are presumed innocent until the government is able to prove its charges in court beyond a reasonable doubt.