East St. Louis Man Sentenced for Unlawful Firearm Possession
In a recent development, Charles L. Thomas, 25, of East St. Louis, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Previously Convicted Felon, announced the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton.
Thomas was also ordered to pay a $100 special assessment and to serve a term of 2 years of supervised release following imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system.
The incident occurred on February 21, 2012, in St. Clair County, when an East St. Louis Police Officer initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Thomas. During the traffic stop, the officer observed a black handgun in the split of the front bench seat.
The firearm, a Hi Point, Model C9, 9mm semi-automatic pistol, contained 8 live rounds of 9mm ammunition. Thomas agreed to an interview with law enforcement at which time he admitted to being in possession of the firearm.
Thomas stated that he had the gun for protection because one week prior he had been in an altercation with some individuals at a convenience store and that he and his friends intended to go back to that same convenience store on that night.
Court documents further establish that prior to February 21, 2012, Thomas had been convicted of a crime that was punishable by a term of imprisonment of more than one year.
The investigation was conducted by the WAVE Task Force, which focuses its efforts on combating violent crime in East St. Louis, Washington Park, and surrounding communities.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ali Summers.
Related Federal Cases
- Al Stewart Jr, Unlawful Firearm Possession, Illinois 2023 · Illinois
- Teranee Millet, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm and Destructive Device, California 2023 · Washington
- Hussein Al Hasani, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, Idaho 2019 · Kansas
- Jonnetric Devonte Ivey, Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition by a Convicted Felon, Florida 2023 · Indiana
- Christopher J. Melahn, Possessing a Firearm as a Felon, Illinois 2023 · Illinois
Key Facts
- State: Illinois
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
Violent CrimeViolent CrimeViolent CrimeViolent Crime