Police arrested a man after finding him carrying a shotgun in his waistband in Waukegan and prosecutors say he admitted to being in shootouts before.
Frederick Walker, 51, of Waukegan, was charged with two counts of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon.
Waukegan police officers approached Walker last Monday while he was on the sidewalk, according to Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Francis DeRosa.
They observed an outline of what appeared to be a firearm in Walker’s pants.
Officers recovered a loaded shotgun and arrested Walker, who has no concealed carry license or Firearm Owners Identification card.
A police officer said in court that a report indicated the shotgun was sawed-off.
Walker told officers he carried the firearm for protection and allowed officers to search his phone, DeRosa said.
Officers found text messages where Walker said he had been in shootouts, DeRosa said.
Lake County Judge Theodore Potkonjak, who said Walker has a fairly lengthy criminal history, ordered Walker held on a $50,000 bond.
Walker remains held in the Lake County Jail and would need to post $5,000 cash in order to be released.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 4.