Randolph County Resident Charged With Firearm Offense

On May 8, 2018, Aaron L. Butler, of Steeleville, Illinois, was charged by indictment with Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Donald S. Boyce, announced today. The indictment alleges that the offense occurred on March 13, 2018, in Perry County. On May 9, 2018, Butler made his initial appearance in federal court. At a May 14, 2018, detention hearing, he was ordered held without bond pending a trial by jury, which is currently scheduled for July 9, 2018.

Under the law, a defendant is presumed to be innocent of a charge until proved guilty beyond a reasonable doubt to the satisfaction of a jury.

If convicted of the firearm violation, Butler faces a term of imprisonment of up to 10 years.

The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Perry County Sheriff’s Office.