Timothy J. Felty Charged as Felon in Firearm Possession

Timothy J. Felty, 50, of East St. Louis, Illinois, was charged on January 18, 2017, with two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm, according to an announcement by U.S. Attorney Donald S. Boyce for the Southern District of Illinois. The charges stem from an alleged incident on December 7, 2016, when Felty knowingly possessed two firearms despite a prior felony conviction.

The indictment, filed under Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1), lays bare the federal law that bars convicted felons from possessing firearms. Felty’s alleged actions cut straight to the core of gun control enforcement in high-crime urban zones, where illegal firearm circulation remains a persistent threat to public safety.

If convicted on either count, Felty faces a maximum prison sentence of ten years, a fine of up to $250,000, and a mandatory three years of supervised release. The dual charges amplify the severity of the offense in the eyes of federal prosecutors, who are pushing for full accountability under the law.

While the indictment marks a formal accusation, federal authorities stress that Felty is presumed innocent until proven guilty. No additional details about a potential motive or the origin of the firearms were released, but the case underscores the federal government’s aggressive stance on illegal gun possession by prohibited individuals.

The investigation was handled by the Metro East Public Corruption Task Force, a multi-agency unit focused on rooting out systemic criminal activity in the region. Their work led directly to the charges now facing Felty, highlighting the reach of coordinated law enforcement operations beyond city lines.

Assistant United States Attorney James G. Piper, Jr. is prosecuting the case, which remains pending in federal court. As the legal process unfolds, the case adds to the growing tally of federal weapons convictions in Southern Illinois—a region under constant scrutiny for illegal firearm trafficking and use.