Round Lake Beach man pleads not guilty to gun charge

A Round Lake Beach man charged with selling a gun in violation of the federally-mandated three-day waiting period pleaded not guilty Wednesday in Lake County circuit court.

Joseph Lanier, 32, faces up to three years in prison if convicted of unlawful sale of a firearm, but would also be eligible for probation.

Assistant State’s Attorney Matthew DeMartini said an informant working for a Round Lake Beach police and FBI task force contacted Lanier on Sept. 15, 2011 and inquired about buying a gun.

The informant went to Lanier’s house in the 1300 block of East End Avenue about 7:30 p.m. that night and purchased a 12-gauge Mossberg shotgun and 10 rounds of ammunition.

The informant gave Lanier $350 in cash that Round Lake Beach police had given him to make the transaction, DeMartini said.

Lanier allowed the informant to take the weapon and ammunition that night, DeMartini said, in violation of the law that requires firearm buyers to wait three days following the sale to take possession.

Associate Judge George Bridges scheduled a trial of the case for May 29 and ordered Lanier, who is free on a signature bond, to appear in court again May 1.