Addison man convicted of federal gun charge

An Addison man who under federal law is considered an armed career criminal faces a minimum of 15 years in prison after being convicted by a federal jury Wednesday of being a felon in possession of a firearm, according to authorities.

Mario J. Rainone, 58, was arrested in February 2009 on charges stemming from a burglary in Lincolnshire, U.S. State’s Attorney spokesman Randall Samborn said.

A search warrant was executed at an apartment where the self-admitted Outfit member was staying on the 1200 block of West Lake Street the day after he was arrested. Authorities found a stolen Smith & Wesson .357 caliber revolver in a nightstand in the bedroom used by Rainone, resulting in the federal firearms charge.

The gun’s original owner testified at Rainone’s two-day trial, stating that the gun was stolen in October 2008. A stipulation was also entered at the trial that Rainone had a prior felony conviction.

Samborn said Rainone was sentenced in 1992 to 17 ½ years in prison after being convicted in a racketeering and conspiracy case at the federal court in Chicago. Rainone has previously admitted to being a member of the Chicago Crime Outfit.

According to authorities, federal law prohibits a felon from possessing any firearm affecting interstate commerce.

Rainone remains in federal custody pending his sentencing, which is scheduled for June 5. His offense carries a maximum $250,000 fine and life in prison.