Rockford Man Charged with Illegal Possession of Firearms
ROCKFORD — A Rockford, Ill., man, ALVIN J. MALONE, 31, was indicted today by a federal grand jury in Rockford for illegally possessing firearms as a convicted felon. The indictment alleges that on Feb. 19, 2019, Malone illegally possessed a loaded 12 gauge shotgun, a .22 caliber rifle, and a loaded .45 semi-automatic pistol.
The charge of illegally possessing a firearm carries a maximum potential penalty of up to 10 years in prison, to be followed by up to 3 years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. If convicted, the court must impose a reasonable sentence under federal sentencing statutes and the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines. Malone has been in custody since his arrest on Feb. 19, 2019. He will appear for arraignment on March 6, at 11:00 a.m. in federal Court in Rockford, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Iain D. Johnston.
The public is reminded that an indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The indicted was announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Timothy Jones, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives. The Rockford Police Department assisted in the investigation.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph C. Pedersen.
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