Alton Man Sentenced For Firearm Offense

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Shannon L. Musgraves, 27, of Alton, Illinois, was sentenced in federal district court on November 10, 2014, to 46 months in prison, to be followed by two years supervised release, a $100 special assessment, and a $375 fine, for 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.

Court proceedings revealed that on March 11, 2014, Musgraves was involved in a hit and run accident. The struck driver pursued Musgraves and reported the traffic crash to the police. The driver also provided an address in Alton, Illinois, where Musgraves could be found. Upon arriving at the address, officers observed that the reported vehicle was still hot to the touch and that the driver’s side mirror had markings of a collision. Officers also noticed a handgun in plain view on the rear seat of vehicle.

After answering the door and allowing officers to enter the residence, Musgraves gave consent for the vehicle to be searched. Officers then found a handgun under the driver’s seat. Musgraves subsequently admitted that the gun belonged to him.

This investigation was conducted by the Alton Police Department and prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan S. Drucker.