Belleville Woman To Serve Two Years For Illegally Transferring Firearm

Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that Danielle Edwards, 38, of Belleville, Illinois, was sentenced today to 24 months in federal prison following her guilty plea on January 21, 2015, to Transfer of a Firearm to a Previously Convicted Felon. There is no parole in the federal system. Edwards was also ordered to pay a $100 special assessment. Edwards was allowed to remain on bond and self-surrender to the Bureau of Prisons.

According to court documents, Edwards purchased a Glock, model 30, .45 caliber semiautomatic pistol, and an extended, 27-round magazine for the firearm, from Ron & Jo’s Firearms and Sporting Supplies in Fairview Heights, Illinois, which she then transferred to her boyfriend, Donnie Dontez Russell, a convicted felon, who she knew to be a convicted felon. Russell was previously convicted in the case and is serving a sentence of 70 months in federal prison. Evidence at sentencing established that Edwards also assisted Russell in obtaining a Sig Sauer P556 semi-automatic pistol in Tennessee from a man Russell contacted through the internet, and she purchased ammunition for that weapon. The Sig Sauer P556 was recovered during the course of the investigation.

Information leading to the charges against Edwards was obtained in an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives. The case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Kit Morrissey.