PEORIA, IL – Eshayah Y. Aguirre, a 21-year-old Peoria resident, will spend the next 51 months in federal prison after being sentenced December 20, 2022, for illegally possessing a handgun. The sentence, handed down by U.S. District Judge James E. Shadid, also includes a three-year term of supervised release. This isn’t Aguirre’s first brush with gun-related charges, raising questions about escalating criminal behavior.
The case stems from a May 25, 2022, traffic stop by Peoria Police. Aguirre, a backseat passenger in a Chevy Trailblazer, violently resisted the stop, forcibly opening the rear door and striking an officer in the head and knee. He then fled on foot, leading police on a chase through a residential neighborhood. During the pursuit, Aguirre pulled a semi-automatic pistol from his waistband.
The weapon, equipped with a high-capacity 31-round magazine, hit the ground after Aguirre tripped. Police quickly apprehended him and recovered the loaded firearm – a round was chambered and the magazine contained an additional 20 rounds. Aguirre claimed he “found” the gun and was carrying it for protection, a justification that clearly failed to sway Judge Shadid.
This incident occurred after Aguirre was already convicted of aggravated unlawful use of weapons in Peoria County Circuit Court in January 2022, making his possession of another firearm a federal offense. Federal law explicitly prohibits convicted felons from owning or possessing guns. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, led by Gregory K. Harris, successfully prosecuted the case, highlighting the commitment to keeping illegal firearms off the streets.
Judge Shadid acknowledged Aguirre’s young age but emphasized the need for a significant sentence given his repeat offense. The judge stated the 51-month term was necessary to protect the public from potential future crimes. Aguirre had been in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service since his indictment in June 2022 and subsequent guilty plea in August 2022.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Peoria Police Department jointly investigated the case, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Ronald L. Hanna leading the prosecution. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a nationwide initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement and communities. The potential penalties for possessing a firearm as a felon include up to 10 years imprisonment, five years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.
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