The United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today that Joseph Capeheart, 28, of Belleville, was indicted last week by a federal grand jury, on the charge of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. The charge carries the maximum penalties of ten years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release. Capeheart is detained, that is, held without bond, pending his arraignment hearing set for Aug. 13, 2015.
The indictment alleges that on or about May 21, 2015, in St. Clair County, Capeheart possessed a Western Auto Revelation, model 100, caliber.22 bolt action rifle, bearing no serial number. The indictment also alleges that Capeheart had previously been convicted on April 13, 2013, of the felony offense of Unlawful Possession of Weapon by Felon.
An indictment is a formal charge against a defendant. Under the law, a defendant is presumed to be innocent of a charge and is entitled to a fair trial at which the United States must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Illinois Department of Corrections. The case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Vanessa T. Lu.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
