A St. Louis, Missouri, man pled guilty on July 13, 2011, in United States District Court in East St. Louis, IL, to 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. At his sentencing, scheduled for October 27, 2011, Berry Williams, Jr., 27, faces a term of imprisonment of not more than ten (10) years, a fine up to $250,000, or both, and a term of supervised release of not more than three (3) years. Williams also agreed to forfeit the gun that he illegally possessed.

According to facts revealed in Court, the violation occurred on September 28, 2009, when an ISP Trooper conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle in which both the driver and front passenger were not wearing seat belts. Williams was the back seat passenger. After the driver was arrested on an outstanding warrant, Williams offered to pay his bond so the driver would not have to be taken to jail. Williams attempted to give his wallet to another officer who was standing nearby. The officer refused to take the wallet, stating that he wanted to avoid any transfer of cash to a police officer. Williams hesitated and then exited the back seat in order to give the wallet to the Trooper who had the driver in custody. After Williams exited the car, the officer saw a firearm on the seat directly underneath where Williams had been sitting.

The case was investigated by the Illinois State Police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Angela Scott.

 

 

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