Mundelein man pleads not guilty to gun sales

A Mundelein man police say sold three of the more than 600 guns he had in his house to an undercover police officer pleaded not guilty Wednesday in Lake County circuit court.

Michael Sonka, 55, faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted of gun running and unlawful sale of firearms.

Assistant State's Attorney Suzanne Willet said Sonka, of 910 Granville Road, was arrested Sept. 14 by agents of the Lake County Metropolitan Enforcement Group.

Police said the officer bought three 9 mm handguns and five boxes of ammunition from Sonka at his home, in spite of the fact that Sonka's federal firearms dealer license had expired.

Mundelein police said they had warned Sonka to stop selling guns prior to the launching of the undercover investigation, but he ignored them.

Sonka was charged because he did not wait three days after the sale to turn over the weapons as required by law, police said.

He was also cited under a village ordinance that required him to have a business license.

After his arrest, police seized 636 rifles and handguns, including some exotic models worth between $300,000 and $400,000.

Circuit Judge Victoria Rossetti scheduled a trial for Jan. 14 and ordered Sonka to appear in court again Jan. 3.