Romeoville Felon Sentenced to 9 Years for Gun Possession

A 40-year-old Romeoville, Illinois, man is heading to prison for nearly a decade after being convicted of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.

South Bend – Martin Devalois, 40, was sentenced to 92 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, after a 2-day jury trial in December 2023.

The sentencing came after Devalois was found guilty of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, a charge that carries significant penalties due to his multiple prior felony convictions.

According to court documents, Devalois’s troubles began in March 2021, when he led police on a 30-minute car chase through LaPorte County, reaching speeds of up to 90 miles per hour at one point.

The high-speed chase came to an end when Devalois crashed into a snowbank, and police recovered a loaded handgun from the center console of his vehicle.

Devalois’s history of violence and firearm possession made him a clear target for law enforcement, and his sentence reflects the severity of his crimes.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with assistance from the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office.

Assistant United States Attorneys Jerome W. McKeever and Joel L. Mathur prosecuted the case, which is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence in communities across the country.

“This case is a prime example of the dangers of letting convicted felons get their hands on firearms,” said United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson. “We will continue to work tirelessly to keep our communities safe from the scourge of gun violence.”

The PSN program is a collaborative effort between law enforcement and community organizations to reduce violent crime and improve public safety.

In May 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on four core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in communities, supporting community-based organizations, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring results.

Devalois’s sentence serves as a warning to others who would seek to flout the law and put innocent lives at risk.

As this case shows, the consequences of such actions can be severe and long-lasting.