A 21-year-old Chicago man has been sentenced to two years in federal prison after authorities said he livestreamed himself carrying and displaying a handgun equipped with an illegal machine gun conversion device while riding through Riis Park before being arrested by Chicago police.
According to federal prosecutors, Eddie Arguelles was sentenced Monday by U.S. District Judge Georgia N. Alexakis to 24 months in federal prison for illegally possessing a firearm fitted with a machine gun conversion device, commonly known as a “switch.”
Incident Began With Reports of Gunfire at Riis Park
The case stems from the evening of May 14, 2025, when Arguelles allegedly brought a loaded firearm to Riis Park, located at 6100 West Fullerton Avenue in Chicago’s Belmont Cragin neighborhood.
Federal prosecutors said Arguelles fired a single shot into the air while numerous people, including children, were present in the park.
Authorities said he also livestreamed himself riding through the park on a moped while wearing a ski mask and displaying the loaded handgun.
During the livestream, prosecutors said Arguelles made several remarks while showing off the weapon.
According to court records, he stated that he was not afraid of anyone before telling viewers that the handgun was equipped with a “switch,” referring to the illegal machine gun conversion device that allows a semi-automatic pistol to fire automatically.
Gun Equipped With Illegal Conversion Device
Investigators later recovered the firearm and identified it as a Glock 23 .40-caliber pistol.
Federal prosecutors said the handgun had been modified with:
- An illegal machine gun conversion device (“switch”)
- An extended magazine loaded with 22 rounds
- A laser sight
The conversion device effectively turned the handgun into a fully automatic firearm, which is prohibited under federal law without proper authorization.
Multiple 911 Calls Prompted Police Response
Chicago police officers were dispatched to Riis Park after receiving several 911 calls reporting gunfire and an armed individual.
One caller reportedly described a Hispanic man dressed entirely in black and wearing a ski mask who had fired a gun while standing on the football field.
When officers arrived, they spotted Arguelles, who matched the description and was standing next to a moped.
Escape Attempt Ends on Football Field
According to prosecutors, Arguelles attempted to flee as officers approached.
He climbed onto the moped and drove onto the park’s football field, but lost control of the vehicle and crashed before he could escape.
A bystander’s cellphone video, which later spread widely online, captured part of the incident.
Police officers quickly tackled Arguelles on the field before he could get back onto the moped.
Authorities said he resisted arrest by pulling away, stiffening his arms, and repeatedly reaching toward one of his legs.
Officers eventually subdued him and recovered the loaded handgun from inside the leg of his sweatpants.
Guilty Plea Included Admission
As part of his written guilty plea, Arguelles admitted that he knew the firearm had been fitted with an illegal machine gun conversion device.
He also acknowledged firing one shot into the air before police arrived at the scene.
Those admissions became key evidence in the federal firearms case.
Social Media Activity Became Part of Investigation
Federal investigators also relied heavily on Arguelles’ social media accounts during their investigation.
According to prosecutors, a witness identified an Instagram account using the handle “emurdaswitchemdown” as belonging to Arguelles.
Authorities said the account’s profile image appeared to show him holding a handgun equipped with a switch while standing beside a woman.
Federal agents obtained a search warrant for the account in July 2025.
Investigators reportedly discovered multiple photos and videos showing Arguelles with firearms.
One video referenced in court documents allegedly showed someone explaining how to install a machine gun conversion device onto a handgun.
Although the speaker’s face was not visible, prosecutors argued that account records and additional evidence connected the material directly to Arguelles.
The Instagram account has since been removed.
Federal Judge Imposed Two-Year Sentence
U.S. District Judge Georgia N. Alexakis sentenced Arguelles to 24 months in federal prison.
The sentence was shorter than the punishment requested by federal prosecutors.
During sentencing, the judge noted that Arguelles had already spent several months in the Cook County Jail while facing related state charges.
However, the judge also explained that the time served in county custody would not count toward his federal prison sentence.
Additional Criminal Case Still Pending
Arguelles will continue facing legal proceedings after completing his federal prison term.
Court records indicate he still has a pending state robbery case in suburban Cook County that remains unresolved.
Authorities have not announced when that case will proceed, but it is expected to continue once his federal sentence is completed.
