Mob enforcer Mario Rainone faces at least 15 years behind bars after a federal jury Wednesday found him guilty on a gun charge, the Sun-Times is reporting.
The 60-year-old faces a potential life term for what otherwise might have been a relatively minor gun conviction because of his lengthy rap sheet, which earned him Armed Career Criminal status.
Jurors took just two hours to reject Rainone's claims that the stolen .357 Smith & Wesson revolver police found in a nightstand in his Addison home back in February 2009 wasn't his.
Rainone — who served 15 years for a 1991 extortion conviction; allegedly threatened to decapitate a restaurateur's children; and spent time in the federal witness protection program — showed no emotion as Judge Harry Leinenweber announced the verdict Wednesday afternoon.
His attorney, Joe "The Shark" Lopez, unsuccessfully tried to convince jurors that the gun might have been placed in the bedroom by someone else.
Following the verdict, he added that the "feds have a 98 percent conviction rate because federal rules guarantee it."
Rainone is due to be sentenced June 5. He faces a minimum of 15 years and a maximum of life.
Saturday, May 25 2013 10:50 AM EDT2013-05-25 14:50:09 GMT
The tornado that struck Oklahoma on Monday took a devastating toll in the number of lives lost and property destroyed. But amidst the anguish and destruction there is another heart-wrenching tragedy.
The tornado that struck Oklahoma on Monday took a devastating toll in the number of lives lost and property destroyed. But amidst the anguish and destruction there is another "heart-wrenching" tragedy -- displaced pets.
Monday, February 25 2013 1:41 PM EST2013-02-25 18:41:37 GMT
Just as Oscar host Seth MacFarlane set his sights on a variety of targets with a mixture of hits and misses, the motion picture academy spread the gold around to a varied slate of films.
Just as Oscar host Seth MacFarlane set his sights on a variety of targets with a mixture of hits and misses, the motion picture academy spread the gold around to a varied slate of films.
Saturday, May 25 2013 6:40 PM EDT2013-05-25 22:40:54 GMT
As it waits to hear if it'll receive a $7 million bailout to stay open, Roseland Community Hospital laid off almost 70 employees, and other hospital employees will take a pay cut.
As it waits to hear if it'll receive a $7 million bailout to stay open, Roseland Community Hospital laid off almost 70 employees, and other hospital employees will take a pay cut.
Saturday, May 25 2013 6:27 PM EDT2013-05-25 22:27:07 GMT
Portage Theater owner Eddie Carranza said the doors to the historic movie palace will stay closed for several months, or at least until he can transfer a license to a new operator.
Portage Theater owner Eddie Carranza said the doors to the historic movie palace will stay closed for several months, or at least until he can transfer a license to a new operator.
Saturday, May 25 2013 11:04 AM EDT2013-05-25 15:04:24 GMT
City residents sick of coupons piling up on their front doorsteps filed a civil lawsuit earlier this month urging the Chicago Tribune and Valassis Communications to stop distributing the mailings.
City residents sick of coupons piling up on their front doorsteps filed a civil lawsuit earlier this month urging the Chicago Tribune and Valassis Communications to stop distributing the mailings on their properties.
Saturday, May 25 2013 10:50 AM EDT2013-05-25 14:50:09 GMT
The tornado that struck Oklahoma on Monday took a devastating toll in the number of lives lost and property destroyed. But amidst the anguish and destruction there is another heart-wrenching tragedy.
The tornado that struck Oklahoma on Monday took a devastating toll in the number of lives lost and property destroyed. But amidst the anguish and destruction there is another "heart-wrenching" tragedy -- displaced pets.
Saturday, May 25 2013 10:18 AM EDT2013-05-25 14:18:44 GMT
A wrongful death lawsuit was filed Thursday in Cook County Circuit Court on behalf of an Aurora attorney who died of medical complications following a 2012 single-engine plane crash in Florida.
A wrongful death lawsuit was filed Thursday in Cook County Circuit Court on behalf of an Aurora attorney who died of medical complications following a 2012 single-engine plane crash in Florida.
Friday, May 24 2013 11:00 PM EDT2013-05-25 03:00:57 GMT
An Evanston high school varsity baseball team will not play in the playoff tournament this weekend after a group of students, including team members, allegedly "sexted" risque photos to each other.
An Evanston high school varsity baseball team will not play in the playoff tournament this weekend after a group of students, including team members, allegedly "sexted" risque photos to each other.
