Rock Island, Ill. - Rodger A. Heaton, U.S. Attorney for the Central District of Illinois, announced that a federal grand jury has returned indictments charging three men with possessing firearms as convicted felons in separate, unrelated cases. The three cases are being prosecuted under Project Safe Neighborhood by Assistant U.S. Attorney John K. Mehochko with the cooperation of the Rock Island County State’s Attorney’s Office. The charges are the result of investigations by the Rock Island Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

William Walter Franklin, 20, of the 1000 block of 16th Street, Rock Island, Illinois, is charged with possession of a 9 mm pistol on or about January 16, 2008, in Rock Island. The indictment alleges Franklin has prior felony convictions for possession of a controlled substance, aggravated battery of a peace officer, and aggravated fleeing from police.

Deaguise Ramont Hall, 18, of the 800 block of 21st Street, Rock Island, is charged with two counts: possession of ammunition, four rounds of 9 mm ammunition on October 10, 2007, and possession of a firearm by a felon, a .38 caliber revolver on December 4, 2007. The indictment alleges Hall has a prior felony conviction for possession of a controlled substance.

Nickolas Tervon Bryant, 21, of the 1800 block of 30th Street, Rock Island, is charged with possession of a firearm, a .38 caliber revolver, by a felon, on December 16, 2007, in Rock Island, Illinois. According to the indictment, Bryant has prior felony convictions in Illinois for delivery of a controlled substance and aggravated fleeing from police.

If convicted, possession of a firearm by a felon carries a statutory penalty of up to 10 years in prison.

Members of the public are reminded that an indictment is merely an accusation; the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.