Felon Sentenced to 77 Months for Gun Possession

Springfield, IL – In a move to crack down on gun violence, a Springfield man, Navell J. White, 44, has been sentenced to 77 months in prison for possession of a firearm by a prohibited person – a felon.

White, a resident of the 1300 block of North 4th Street, was found in possession of a Taurus G2 9mm pistol during a traffic stop in September 2022. The traffic stop was conducted by the Springfield Police Department with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.

White pleaded guilty to the one-count indictment on December 14, 2023, before U.S. District Court Judge Colleen R. Lawless. The government, represented by Assistant United States Attorney Sarah Seberger, established that White had a significant criminal history, including a pattern of domestic violence over several years.

At the sentencing hearing, Judge Lawless noted that White’s history of domestic violence was a major factor in her decision to impose the lengthy prison sentence. The statutory penalties for possession of a firearm by a prohibited person are up to 15 years imprisonment, up to three years of supervised release, up to a $250,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment.

The case against White is part of a committed effort to combat gun violence in Sangamon County, Illinois. The case is also part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence in communities across the country.

The PSN program is focused on fostering trust and legitimacy in communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. By bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve, the program aims to make neighborhoods safer for everyone.

White is currently in the custody of the United States Marshals Service, where he has been since his federal arrest on February 3, 2023. He will face a 3-year term of supervised release following his imprisonment. The case highlights the ongoing effort to combat gun violence and hold individuals accountable for their actions.

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