Migrant who carried loaded gun, fake grenade onto CTA bus walks free after plea deal — now wanted on shoplifting case
Venezuelan Migrant Sentenced for Carrying Loaded Handgun and Inert Grenade on CTA Bus
Jose Yepes, a Venezuelan migrant, has recently been in the spotlight after being accused of carrying a loaded handgun and an inert grenade aboard a CTA bus. Despite receiving a one-year prison sentence for the offense, Yepes managed to avoid serving any additional time behind bars. However, he has now become a wanted man once again after failing to appear in court for a separate shoplifting case that has been pending since 2024, as per court records.
The 29-year-old Yepes was arrested by Chicago police in August following an incident on a CTA bus in the 7900 block of South Jeffrey Boulevard. Officers were alerted by the bus driver about a battery in progress, leading to Yepes being apprehended. Upon inspection, a loaded .380-caliber handgun was found in his waistband, along with a green grenade inside his crossbody bag. Although the grenade was determined to be inert by the CPD Bomb Squad, Yepes was initially charged with unlawful use of a bomb or grenade.
Following further legal proceedings, prosecutors decided not to pursue the grenade charge and instead, Yepes pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm. This resulted in a one-year prison sentence handed down by Judge Natosha Toller. However, due to credit for time served and Illinois’ policy of reducing sentences for good behavior, Yepes did not end up serving any time in prison. In the midst of these events, the unresolved misdemeanor shoplifting case from 2024 continues to loom over Yepes, with a new arrest warrant issued by Judge Peter Gonzalez after he failed to appear in court.
