Four Teens Arrested for Gun Offenses in Champaign Incident

Teens charged with firearm possession, theft, and fleeing from police

Apr. 15, 2026 at 6:37pm

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An extreme close-up of a metallic gun component, its intricate details and textures dramatically illuminated by a harsh flash against a dark backdrop, conceptually representing the threat of illegal firearms.A recent wave of gun-related crimes involving youth in Champaign has exposed the growing threat of untraceable 'ghost guns' and sophisticated theft tools.Champaign Today

Four teenagers were arrested in Champaign, Illinois over the weekend after police said they stole a car, fled from a traffic stop, and were later found in possession of five firearms, including two stolen guns, a 'ghost gun,' and an AR-15 style rifle. The suspects, ranging in age from 17 to 19 years old, were charged with various firearm-related offenses.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the ongoing issue of gun violence and illegal firearm possession among youth in the Champaign area. The discovery of the 'ghost gun' and programmable smart key device also raises concerns about the use of untraceable and sophisticated tools to facilitate vehicle theft and other crimes.

The details

According to State's Attorney Julia Rietz, the arrests occurred on April 11 around 12:50 a.m. when a car fled from officers who tried to pull it over. The car was later found unoccupied, and police spotted four subjects getting into an Uber nearby. Officers stopped the Uber and found the four teens in possession of the five firearms, including two stolen guns, a 'ghost gun,' and an AR-15 style rifle. Police also discovered a universal key generator and a programmable smart key that had been used to start the stolen vehicle.

  • The incident occurred on April 11, 2026 around 12:50 a.m.
  • The 19-year-old suspect, Kamerion Moore, is scheduled to appear in court on June 2, 2026.

The players

Julia Rietz

The Champaign County State's Attorney who provided details about the incident and charges.

Kamerion Moore

A 19-year-old suspect charged with aggravated unlawful possession of a firearm, a Class 4 felony.

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What they’re saying

“'The universal key generator used with the programmable smart key allows the user to program the key as a replacement for more than 700 vehicles in one minute.'”

— Julia Rietz, Champaign County State's Attorney

What’s next

The three 17-year-old suspects are in custody at the Champaign County Juvenile Detention Center, while the 19-year-old suspect, Kamerion Moore, was released on pretrial conditions with his next court appearance scheduled for June 2, 2026.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the need for continued efforts to address gun violence and illegal firearm possession, particularly among youth, in the Champaign community. The use of sophisticated tools like 'ghost guns' and programmable smart keys also highlights the evolving nature of vehicle theft and related crimes.