Chicago gang leader sentenced to 22 years for selling guns, cocaine

A gang leader and convicted felon has been sentenced to 22 years in federal prison for dealing cocaine and firearms on Chicago’s southwest side.

The 264-month sentence was handed down to 38-year-old Francisco Masias in federal court Friday, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Masias, “longtime leader” of the Gangster 2-6 Nation gang, was convicted in 2015 of illegally possessing 16 handguns and selling cocaine in Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood.

Prosecutors said Masias illegally obtained the 16 handguns from an associate and then passed them along to Jose Maldanado, a fellow gang member. Maldanado then passed the guns along to another gang member before law enforcement seized the weapons.

Masias and Maldonado were only two of more than 17 total defendants that have been convicted as part of investigation “Operation Shady Business.” Federal, state, and local authorities worked together using wiretaps, cooperating witnesses, and surveillance to track the gang’s criminal activities.

Maldanado, also convicted on drug and gun charges, was previously sentenced to 22 years in prison.

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