The Lake County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Group (SIG), a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA)-funded task force, in collaboration with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) – Chicago Field Division, concluded a joint investigation that resulted in the arrests of two individuals involved in illegal firearm trafficking.
In August 2025, SIG detectives and ATF agents launched an investigation into Najzierian K. Myers, 25, of the 1400 block of Hervey Avenue, North Chicago, for his suspected involvement in gun running. During the investigation, Myers sold four firearms to undercover SIG detectives. Investigators also learned Myers had multiple outstanding arrest warrants and was reportedly planning to engage in violent criminal activity, including a potential bank robbery.
The investigation revealed that Myers enlisted Blake Everett, 26, of the 4300 block of McLure Avenue, Gurnee, to unlawfully purchase a firearm on his behalf.
On Monday, October 13, 2025, Everett arrived at a location in Gurnee to provide Myers with a firearm. He was taken into custody without incident after arriving at the location.
Simultaneously, members of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team moved in to arrest Myers, who was seated in a vehicle in a parking lot, in the 6100 block of Grand Avenue, Gurnee, waiting for Everett. When approached, Myers attempted to flee by ramming a marked sheriff’s squad car occupied by a deputy. He was unsuccessful and also struck a nearby parked vehicle before fleeing on foot.
SWAT officers pursued and tackled Myers, who initially resisted arrest but was taken into custody. After his arrest, Myers had a medical episode where he lost consciousness. Sheriff’s detectives provided first-aid, until paramedics arrived and transported him to an area hospital, where he currently remains in custody, in stable condition.
During the operation, investigators recovered a stolen handgun located beneath a vehicle along the path Myers took while fleeing arrest, approximately 12 ecstasy pills packaged for sale, and a digital scale located inside Myers’ vehicle.
After reviewing the facts of the investigation, the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office approved the following charges:
Najzierian K. Myers:
Gun Running (Class 1 Felony)
Four Counts of Unlawful Sale of a Firearm (Class 4 Felonies)
Aggravated Fleeing and Eluding (Class 4 Felony)
Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance (Class 4 Felony)
Resisting a Peace Officer (Class A Misdemeanor)
Eight Outstanding Arrest Warrants (various prior cases)
Blake Everett:
Unlawful Purchase of a Firearm (Class 1 Felony)
Christopher Amon, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF – Chicago Field Division said, “Straw purchasing puts firearms in the hands of criminals and contributes to violence in our communities. ATF is committed to working alongside the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Special Investigations Group to identify, investigate, and prosecute those who illegally purchase firearms on behalf of others.”
Lake County Sheriff John D. Idleburg said, “I’m proud of the outstanding collaboration and professionalism shown by our Special Investigations Group and the ATF – Chicago Field Division in bringing this operation to a successful resolution. SIG works diligently to keep our community safer by arresting violent people and removing illegally possessed weapons from our streets.”
Everett appeared in court this morning and was ordered to be detained pending a detention hearing, which will take place on October 15, 2025, at 1:30PM. Myers will appear in court pending his release from the hospital.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office thanks the Gurnee Police Department for their assistance during this operation.
All defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
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