Craig L. Fenton, 47, of Bluford, Illinois, pled guilty today in United States District Court in Benton to an indictment charging him with being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois. The indictment, returned by a Federal Grand Jury on May 9th, alleged that Fenton was found to be in possession of a loaded Colt.38 special caliber revolver on April 2, 2013. The firearm was located by a Wayne County Deputy Sheriff during the course of a traffic stop. Prior to that date Fenton had been convicted of two felony offenses which made it illegal under federal law for him to possess firearms or ammunition.
Sentencing was set for Nov. 1, 2013, at 11:00 a.m. at the United States District Courthouse in Benton. At that time, Fenton faces up to 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and 3 years of supervised release to follow his incarceration. The firearms and ammunition he illegally possessed will also be forfeited to the United States.
Fenton has been held without bond in the custody of the United States Marshal since his arrest on the federal charges. He was returned to the Marshal’s custody to await sentencing.
The case was investigated by the Carmi office of the Southern Illinois Drug Task Force and the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney James M. Cutchin.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
