Man pleads not guilty to gun, threat charges

A Lake Villa Township man pleaded not guilty Thursday to charges he was carrying a concealed weapon and threatened a police officer.

John Zuba, 28, 36000 of North Corona, is charged in Lindenhurst and Lake Villa for events that allegedly took place Dec. 10.

Lake County Assistant State's Attorney Eric Kalata said an off-duty Antioch police officer saw Zuba about 12:30 a.m. in a Lindenhurst restaurant and noticed Zuba had a handgun in his waistband. The officer called Lindenhurst police with a description of Zuba and the car he was driving, Kalata said.

Lindenhurst police broadcast a bulletin on the countywide police radio network, Kalata said, and Lake Villa police stopped Zuba's car a short time later.

Zuba was placed under arrest after police found a loaded Glock 9 mm pistol in the trunk of his car and discovered Zuba did not have a state Firearm Owner's Identification card, Kalata said.

As a Lake Villa police officer was taking Zuba into custody, Kalata said, Zuba told the officer he would kill him if he ever saw him on the street.

Zuba is charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and possession of a weapon without a firearm owner's identification card in Lindenhurst.

In Lake Villa, Zuba is charged with threatening a public official.

Kalata said Zuba faces up to three years in prison on the Lindenhurst charges and five years on the Lake Villa charge, but would be eligible for probation in both cases.

Zuba, who was released after posting $10,000 for bond, is due to appear in court March 22.