Two Lake County men charged following gun trafficking investigation

A North Chicago man has been charged with gun running and other felonies, and a Gurnee man with unlawful purchase of a firearm following an investigation into illegal firearm trafficking, authorities said.

In August, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Group and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives began investigating Najzierian K. Myers, 25, of the 1400 block of Hervey Ave., North Chicago, for suspected involvement in gun running, authorities said.

During the investigation, Myers sold four firearms to undercover detectives, according to the Lake County sheriff’s Deputy Chief Chris Covelli.

Myers had multiple outstanding warrants and reportedly was planning to engage in violent criminal activity, including a potential bank robbery, Covelli added.

Covelli said Myers enlisted Blake Everett, 26, of the 4300 block of McLure Avenue, Gurnee, to purchase a firearm on his behalf. On Monday, Everett was arrested after arriving at a location in Gurnee to provide Myers with a firearm, Covelli said.

At the same time, members of the sheriff’s SWAT Team arrested Myers, who was in a vehicle in a parking lot in the 6100 block of Grand Avenue, Gurnee, waiting for Everett, according to Covelli.

Covelli said Myers struck a nearby vehicle before fleeing on foot and was pursued and tackled by SWAT officers.

After being arrested, Myers had a medical episode and lost consciousness, according to Covelli. He was hospitalized and is in custody in stable condition, he added.

A stolen handgun was found beneath a vehicle along the path Myers took while fleeing, Covelli said.

About 12 ecstasy pills packaged for sale and a digital scale were found in Myers’ vehicle, he added.

Myers has been charged with gun running, four counts of unlawful sale of a firearm, aggravated fleeing and eluding, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, all felonies, as well as resisting an officer, a misdemeanor and eight outstanding arrest warrants.

Everett was charged with unlawful purchase of a firearm, a felony.

Myers will appear in court pending his release from the hospital. Everett was in court Tuesday and ordered held pending a detention hearing Wednesday.