Episode Details

A convicted felon turned anti-violence hero, Nakia Smith, is facing up to 30 years in prison for turning in a gun he found — but his story is far more complex than the charges suggest. Believing he was helping Chicago by surrendering the weapon through the city’s gun turn-in program, Smith walked into a police station with the gun tucked in his coat, thinking it would be handled anonymously. Instead, he was arrested — and now stands trial as an “armed habitual criminal.” Former Education Secretary Arne Duncan, who works with Smith at Chicago CRED, calls it a “travesty,” backing his character and mission. Smith spent seven months in jail before bail and is now on electronic monitoring. He insists he discovered the gun after a worker found it in a home and followed official advice to bring it to police — never intending to harm anyone. Despite admitting possession, he rejected a two-year plea deal, believing his actions were morally right and guided by a higher power. The State’s Attorney says they’re committed to both justice and fighting gun violence — but this case has ignited national debate over how law enforcement handles good intentions gone awry.

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