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Press Release

East St. Louis Man Sentenced For Firearm Offense

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of Illinois

Akai J. Aikens, 29, of East Saint Louis, IL, was sentenced on May 20, 2013, in federal district court, in East St. Louis, IL, on one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.

Aikens was sentenced to 48 months’ in prison, three years supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment. Aikens pled guilty on December 11, 2012. He also agreed to forfeit the firearm. The charges stem from an October 5, 2012, incident when a law enforcement officer on patrol in East St. Louis, observed a vehicle traveling with numerous objects hanging from the review mirror, obstructing the driver’s view. The officer attempted to stop the vehicle, when it abruptly swerved into a bar and car wash parking lot. Aikens exited the car from the passenger side, running behind the car wash. After repeated demands by the officer for him to return and threats to release a canine, Aikens emerged from behind the building. The canine was released to search the area, locating a Glock Model 22c.40 caliber semi-automatic pistol behind the car wash moments later.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Illinois State Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel T. Kapsak.

Updated February 19, 2015