PEORIA, IL – Denzel L. Jordan, 29, of Peoria, Illinois, is headed to federal prison for 40 months after being convicted of illegally possessing a loaded handgun. Jordan, a convicted felon, was sentenced Thursday, July 20, 2023, by Senior U.S. District Judge Michael M. Mihm. The case underscores the continued federal crackdown on individuals illegally carrying firearms in Central Illinois.
The trouble began in October 2022 when Peoria Police pulled Jordan over for a traffic violation. Things escalated quickly when officers discovered his license was suspended and he refused to cooperate with their orders to exit the vehicle. A physical altercation ensued, and during the struggle, a loaded semiautomatic pistol was discovered tucked into the back of Jordan’s waistband. The weapon had a live round chambered and a 16-round magazine.
The search didn’t stop there. A backpack worn by Jordan contained two additional fully loaded 15-round magazines and a further 56 rounds of .40 caliber ammunition. Federal prosecutors presented this evidence at the sentencing hearing, painting a picture of a man clearly prepared for violence. Jordan pleaded guilty in March 2023 after being indicted by a federal grand jury.
Jordan faced a maximum sentence of 15 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine for the charge of possession of a firearm as a felon. Judge Mihm opted for the 40-month sentence, followed by three years of supervised release. The Smith & Wesson M&P pistol and all associated ammunition have been forfeited to the government.
The investigation was a joint effort between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Peoria Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ronald L. Hanna led the prosecution. The case is part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a nationwide initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence.
PSN focuses on building trust within communities, supporting local violence prevention organizations, and implementing strategic enforcement priorities. This sentencing serves as a warning to others: illegally possessing firearms carries serious consequences, and federal agencies are actively working to remove these weapons – and those who wield them – from the streets of Peoria and beyond. Jordan has been held by the U.S. Marshals Service while awaiting sentencing.
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