The Civilian Office of Police Accountability has sustained findings against two Chicago Police officers and a sergeant who wrongfully arrested an Indiana man legally carrying a concealed firearm near 79th Street on Chicago’s South Side in March 2023. The man’s car was impounded and he paid $2,225 in fines and fees to retrieve it. All criminal charges against him were later dismissed. Officer Joseph Vecchio received a 29-day suspension. the maximum of COPA’s recommended range.

Three Chicago Police Department members have been found by the Civilian Office of Police Accountability to have wrongfully arrested an Indiana man who was legally carrying a concealed firearm in his vehicle on Chicago’s South Side, according to a COPA final summary report reviewed by Chicago Crime Chaser.

The Chicago Police Department confirmed the disciplinary penalties in a letter signed by Superintendent Larry Snelling on July 6, 2026.

The Traffic Stop

The incident occurred on March 3, 2023, at approximately 1:25 p.m. when Officer Joseph Vecchio stopped a Black Dodge Challenger near 625 West 79th Street.

Officer Vecchio told the driver, an Indiana man, that the reason for the stop was his vehicle registration had expired. The man’s registration was not expired. It was valid until February 14, 2024.

The man produced his Indiana driver’s license, his Indiana License to Carry Handgun card, and disclosed that he had a firearm in his backpack. Officer Vecchio then told the man he was also not wearing a seatbelt.

What the Officers Got Wrong

Officer Vecchio and Officer Justin Magnan arrested the man on the grounds that he did not possess an Illinois Firearm Owner’s Identification Card and Illinois Concealed Carry License.

However, Illinois law explicitly exempts non-residents from the FOID card requirement and allows non-residents to carry a concealed firearm within their vehicle if they possess a valid concealed carry license from their home state.

COPA found that the officers’ understanding of the law was incorrect and the arrest was based on their mistake of law.

Sergeant Dorian James arrived on scene and gave the man incorrect information about Illinois law telling him his firearm had to be in the glovebox or trunk, the ammunition had to be separate, and the firearm could not be loaded.

Sgt. James then told Officer Vecchio he could take it in saying at worst it would be a misdemeanor. COPA found that Sgt. James directed officers under his supervision to arrest the man without justification.

Officer Vecchio’s Credibility

COPA found reason to doubt Officer Vecchio’s credibility. When he first stopped the man Officer Vecchio said the reason was an expired registration. That was incorrect. He later told the man he was also not wearing a seatbelt.

At a vehicle impoundment hearing on May 25, 2023, Officer Vecchio testified that the reason he stopped the man was for not wearing a seatbelt. He did not mention the registration at all.

COPA noted that a supervisor described Officer Vecchio as someone who wants to have the numbers which COPA said raised questions about his motivation for the arrest.

$2,225 to Get His Car Back

The man’s vehicle was impounded following the arrest.

He paid $2,225 in fines and fees to retrieve it. An administrative law judge later ruled in his favor and ordered the city to refund the full $2,225 finding that the man legally possessed a concealed firearm inside his vehicle under the non-resident provisions of the Illinois Firearm Concealed Carry Act.

All criminal charges against the man were dismissed on May 16, 2023, after his attorney filed a motion to dismiss arguing that non-Illinois residents are permitted to transport a concealed firearm within their vehicle if the firearm remains within the vehicle and the non-resident possesses a valid concealed carry license from their home state.

The man also filed a federal civil lawsuit against Officer Vecchio in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois in June 2024. The lawsuit was settled and dismissed in March 2025.

COPA Findings and Discipline Imposed

COPA sustained the following findings and the Chicago Police Department confirmed the following suspensions in a letter signed by Superintendent Larry Snelling on July 6, 2026.

Officer Joseph Vecchio, Star No. 14469, was sustained for wrongful arrest and wrongful impoundment.

CPD imposed a 29-day suspension, the maximum of COPA’s recommended range.

COPA noted that Officer Vecchio has three prior sustained complaints including a 15-day suspension for a domestic violence incident where he threw eggs at a vehicle, made multiple threatening statements, and threw and kicked a cellphone.

COPA also noted that Officer Vecchio has additional pending sustained findings from other COPA investigations related to traffic stops and searches. Officer Vecchio will also receive mandatory retraining on the Firearm Concealed Carry Act.

Officer Justin Magnan, Star No. 18087, was sustained for wrongful arrest. CPD imposed a 3-day suspension. Officer Magnan will also receive mandatory retraining on the Firearm Concealed Carry Act.

Sergeant Dorian James, Star No. 2608, was sustained for directing officers to arrest without justification and directing officers to impound the vehicle without justification. CPD imposed a 5-day suspension. Sgt. James will also receive mandatory retraining on the Firearm Concealed Carry Act.

Officer Tyreon Davis, who searched the backpack and secured the firearm during the traffic stop, was exonerated.

COPA found that Illinois law required the man to disclose the location of his firearm and permit officers to secure it during the stop, and Officer Davis acted within those requirements.

Superintendent’s Concurrence

In a letter dated July 6, 2026, Superintendent Larry Snelling wrote to COPA Chief Administrator Lakenya White confirming that the Chicago Police Department concurs with the recommended sustained findings and the penalty recommendation as they pertain to the involved members.

Chicago Crime Chaser will continue to monitor disciplinary proceedings in this case.