Ali M. Summers Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois | U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois
A U.S. district judge has sentenced Cierra S. Whitley, a 36-year-old woman from East St. Louis, to 11 years in prison for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. The sentencing follows her guilty plea in January to one count of felon in possession of a firearm.
Whitley's conviction is linked to an investigation by the Illinois State Police Public Safety Enforcement Group (PSEG) into a double homicide that took place between August 11-12, 2023, in East St. Louis. During this investigation, authorities seized a 9mm firearm used in the killings and found that Whitley had brandished it to threaten one of the victims.
“PSEG’s double homicide investigation led to Cierra Whitley’s conviction for possessing the stolen firearm that was used to murder two people,” stated U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft. He emphasized that the sentence reflects efforts to combat violent crime and protect communities.
ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly remarked on the significance of Whitley's sentence: "This 11-year sentence of a convicted felon found guilty once again of breaking the law is evidence of ISP's commitment to making communities safer." He affirmed ongoing collaboration with law enforcement partners and the U.S. Attorney's Office to address crime effectively.
Christopher Amon, Special Agent-in-Charge at ATF Chicago Field Division, underscored the threat posed by individuals like Whitley: “A convicted felon in possession of a stolen firearm- and brazenly brandishing it- are a danger to the community.” He praised partnerships with ISP and federal prosecutors for holding offenders accountable.
Following her prison term, Whitley will serve three years under supervised release conditions.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ali Burns and Laura Reppert, with investigative support from both Illinois State Police and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
