A Belleville man, Roger A. Griggs, 32, was sentenced today in United States District Court, East St. Louis, following his guilty plea 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. Griggs was sentenced to 65 months’ imprisonment, a $350 fine, 3 years’ supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Additionally, Griggs was ordered to forfeit the firearm and any associated ammunition. Griggs has been in custody since his arrest on December 19, 2011. There is no parole in the federal system.

According to court documents and evidence, on September 15, 2011, law enforcement officers conducted a probation compliance check on Griggs at an apartment on 74th Street in Belleville. During the check, officers found a Taurus, .38 Special, five-shot revolver, containing five live rounds of ammunition, in a small safe in a bedroom closet. The keys to the safe were in the lock. Griggs acknowledged possession of the firearm and that his status as a convicted felon prohibited him from possessing firearms or ammunition. He said he bought the firearm “off the streets” from an unknown person for $75. Griggs has three prior felony convictions in St. Clair County, Illinois, the last one occurring in February, 2009.

The case was investigated by the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department Drug Tactical Unit and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Assistant United States Attorney Kit Morrissey handled the prosecution.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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