Felon’s Gun Stash Lands Rock Island Man 8 Years Behind Bars

ROCK ISLAND, Ill. – A Rock Island man has been sentenced to eight years in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Kenneth Russell, 34, of the 500 block of 6th Street, was found guilty of possessing a 9mm handgun on April 15, 2015.

Russell entered a guilty plea on September 24, 2015, and has been in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service since May 2015. At the time of the offense, he was a convicted felon.

The investigation into Russell’s crime was conducted by the Rock Island Police Department, the Quad City Metropolitan Enforcement Group, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Micah Reyner prosecuted the case, which was brought before U.S. District Judge Sara L. Darrow.

Russell will serve 96 months in federal prison, followed by a one-year term of supervised release. His sentence reflects the gravity of his crime, which put the community at risk.

The sentencing of Russell serves as a reminder that laws are in place to protect the public from individuals who would misuse firearms. The law is clear: felons are not allowed to possess firearms, and those who do will face serious consequences.

The Rock Island community can rest a little easier knowing that justice has been served. The case is a testament to the hard work and dedication of law enforcement agencies and prosecutors who work tirelessly to keep our communities safe.

The U.S. Marshals Service will continue to hold defendants accountable for their crimes, and we will not hesitate to take action against those who put the public at risk.