Chicago Man Pleads Guilty to Concealing Crime in Federal Operation Midway Blitz Case

On Wednesday, federal prosecutors in Chicago, Illinois announced their first guilty plea in a case tied to Operation Midway Blitz, a major immigration enforcement campaign that took place in the city last year. Anthony González Álvarez, 27, admitted to concealing a crime by falsely reporting his Ford F-250 as stolen after colliding with a vehicle driven by immigration agents on October 3.

According to court documents, Álvarez followed a U.S. Customs and Border Protection vehicle on Chicago's South Side before striking it from behind as it turned onto Kedzie Avenue from 61st Street. Later that day, he informed the Chicago Police Department that his truck had been stolen. Prosecutors charged Álvarez with the rarely used offense of concealing information about a felony rather than the initial assault charge.

During a court appearance, U.S. District Judge LaShonda Hunt acknowledged the unusual nature of the charge, noting her unfamiliarity with its pronunciation. Under a proposed agreement with prosecutors, Álvarez is expected to pay $1,362 in restitution and would avoid prison time if the plea deal is approved. Judge Hunt has postponed her final decision, scheduling sentencing for July 22.

Álvarez is among 32 individuals facing charges related to Operation Midway Blitz, though most are not directly accused of immigration offenses. So far, 20 defendants have been cleared and cases against three others are expected to be dismissed. No one has been convicted of violent acts against federal agents in connection with the operation, though authorities reported that violence was cited as a reason to seek deployment of the National Guard to Chicago—a request that was ultimately blocked by federal courts.

The investigation into Operation Midway Blitz continues. Several remaining cases are set for trial or plea hearings in the coming months, while Álvarez awaits final sentencing.