East St. Louis Resident Pleads Guilty To Firearm Offense

James L. Porter, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that on March 24, 2016, Antwoine D. Sanders, 38, East St. Louis, IL, pled guilty to an Indictment charging him with the Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Previously Convicted Felon. For this offense, Sanders 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. Sanders also agreed to the forfeiture of the firearm he illegally possessed. Sanders’ sentencing is scheduled for July 26, 2016, in Benton, Illinois. Sanders has been detained since his bond was revoked on March 11, 2016.

The charge arose on May 20, 2015, when Sanders was present at a residence during a parole compliance check of another resident. During a search of the residence, a firearm was found under the mattress in the bedroom Sanders shared. Sanders provided statements regarding the recovered firearm. Investigation revealed that Sanders had been convicted of Burglary in 1997 in St. Clair County, Illinois.

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