A 25-year-old Venezuelan citizen unlawfully residing in the United States was charged today in federal court with illegally possessing a firearm in Chicago, according to a criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court.

Jose Medina-Medina, also known as Jose Gregorio Medina, illegally possessed a handgun on March 20, 2026, the complaint states. Chicago Police officers discovered the weapon during a court-authorized search of his residence in the Rogers Park neighborhood on Chicago’s North Side.

The search was conducted as part of a state investigation into a homicide that occurred in the neighborhood on March 19, 2026. Medina was arrested following the search and subsequently charged in Cook County Circuit Court with murder and other offenses related to the death of an 18-year-old Loyola University student.

As an individual without lawful status in the United States, Medina is legally prohibited from possessing a firearm. The federal charge of illegal possession of a firearm carries a maximum sentence of ten years in federal prison.

“Given the senseless, cold-blooded nature of the murder of a young student with a bright future ahead of her, the Chicago U.S. Attorney’s Office will take no chances that this illegal alien perpetrator will be released back into our community,” said Andrew S. Boutros, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois.

The federal investigation is being conducted in coordination with the ATF’s Crime Gun Intelligence Center of Chicago (CGIC).

“ATF will pursue all applicable federal charges to ensure that those who commit acts of violence are held accountable,” said ATF Special Agent-in-Charge Christopher Amon. “The addition of federal charges in this case further ensures that the defendant is held fully accountable under the law.”

Jose Medina is currently detained in state custody without bond. His initial appearance in federal court has not yet been scheduled.

The Source: Information in this article is based on the USAO, Northern District of Illinois releases.