PEORIA, IL – Terrance T. Dotson, 50, of Peoria, Illinois, is headed to federal prison for four years after being caught with a handgun and ammunition despite a prior felony conviction. Dotson received a 48-month sentence followed by three years of supervised release from U.S. District Judge James E. Shadid on July 20, 2023.
The case unfolded last August when a Peoria County Sheriff’s Deputy observed Dotson’s SUV swerve off the road and collide with a mailbox. During the subsequent traffic stop, the deputy witnessed Dotson reaching towards the backseat, where another individual was seated. A flashlight revealed a handgun lying next to the passenger. Dotson and the other occupants were removed from the vehicle.
The situation escalated when officers discovered Dotson kicking at something on the floor of the police car where he was seated – an ammunition magazine loaded with rounds matching those found in the handgun. The discovery cemented the charges against Dotson, a prohibited possessor due to his prior criminal history. He’s been cooling his heels in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service since the initial complaint was filed.
Federal prosecutors presented the evidence at the sentencing hearing, building a case that originated with a simple traffic stop and quickly spiraled into a firearms violation. Dotson ultimately pleaded guilty in March 2023, following both an initial complaint filed in August 2022 and a superseding indictment in February 2023. He could have faced up to 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) spearheaded the investigation, working alongside the Peoria County Sheriff’s Department and the Peoria Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ronald L. Hanna prosecuted the case. This prosecution is part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative, a nationwide program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through coordinated law enforcement efforts.
PSN focuses on fostering community trust, supporting local violence prevention organizations, and strategically targeting enforcement priorities. While the feds tout community engagement, the reality remains: another gun-toting felon is off the streets, and Peoria residents can breathe a little easier – at least until the next one slips through the cracks. Dotson’s case serves as a grim reminder of the constant struggle to keep illegal firearms out of the hands of those who shouldn’t have them.
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