Peoria Gunman Gets 40 Months Behind Bars

A Peoria man with a history of crime is headed to federal prison after a desperate attempt to evade police ended with a loaded handgun found near his seat. Jermaine Harry Bernard Allison, 29, received a 40-month sentence this week for illegal possession of a firearm, a conviction secured through a collaborative effort between local and federal law enforcement.

The trouble began during a routine traffic stop. When the Peoria Police Department attempted to pull the vehicle over, Allison bolted, triggering a short foot chase before he was apprehended. A search of the car revealed multiple firearms, including a loaded handgun discovered in the immediate vicinity of where Allison had been sitting. Forensic analysis later confirmed Allison’s fingerprints on the weapon, sealing his fate.

Allison, already a convicted felon, faced stiff penalties for possessing the handgun. Federal prosecutors successfully argued that his actions posed a clear threat to public safety. He pleaded guilty in March 2023 after being indicted in January, and has been held by the U.S. Marshals Service awaiting sentencing. U.S. District Judge James E. Shadid handed down the 40-month sentence, followed by a three-year term of supervised release.

This case is a direct result of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a federal program focused on reducing violent crime and gun violence. PSN aims to build trust between law enforcement and communities, support local violence prevention initiatives, and strategically target the most dangerous offenders. The feds say Allison’s conviction sends a strong message: illegally possessing firearms will be met with serious consequences.

The investigation was a joint operation led by the Peoria Police Department and the FBI’s Springfield Field Office. Both agencies dedicated resources to gathering evidence and building a solid case against Allison. The Peoria Police Department initiated the stop and chase, while the FBI provided crucial investigative support and expertise.

This conviction isn’t an isolated incident. Similar cases are surfacing across the state. Just recently, a Springfield man received 41 months for possessing a handgun modified with a “Glock switch,” effectively turning it into a machinegun. In East Moline, another individual was convicted of both drug trafficking and firearms charges. These cases highlight the ongoing battle against gun violence and the commitment of law enforcement to keep these weapons out of the hands of criminals.