Carbondale Man Charged with Possession of a Firearm

 Posted on November 30, 2012 in Chicago News

Andre V. Scott, 31, of Carbondale, was arraigned in federal court in Benton, according to the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois. Scott “was charged by indictment on November 6, 2012, with Possession of a Firearm by a Felon.” He was then held without bond and is awaiting a January 2012 jury trial. An offense such as Scott’s carries a penalty of up to “10 years’ imprisonment, 3 years’ supervised release, and a fine of $250,000 upon conviction.” The investigation was conducted by the Carbondale Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.

Chicago has long had a pretty severe firearm ordinance, but in June of this year it took a heavy blow when “a federal judge ruled that the section banning permits for people convicted of unlawful use of a weapon is vague and unconstitutional,” according to the Chicago Tribune. This ruling offers some hope for Scott and those accused like him, because it means that a conversation deciding whether or not a person convicted of even a misdemeanor offense can own a firearm is already well within the public psyche.

Despite the federal ruling earlier this year, Illinois state gun laws clearly state that “it is unlawful for a person to knowingly possess on or about his person or on his land or in his abode or fixed place of business any weapon… or any firearm or any firearm ammunition if the person has been convicted of a felony under the laws of this State or any other jurisdiction.” Scott could face a long uphill battle because of these strict state gun laws.

If you or someone you know has been accused of a weapons charge, don’t go through it alone. Contact a dedicated Illinois criminal defense attorney today.