Peoria Man Receives 42-Month Sentence for Illegal Firearm Possession and Sales

PEORIA, Ill. – Quincy Jones, 36, of Peoria, Illinois, was sentenced on November 4, 2026, to 42 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release for two counts of possessing a firearm as a felon. The sentences on both counts are to be served concurrently.

Court records and statements presented during the sentencing hearing revealed that on June 30, 2025, Jones sold a Smith & Wesson .38 caliber revolver for $450. Subsequently, on October 9, 2025, he sold two additional firearms: a Glock 43 pistol for $600 and a Taurus pistol for $800. The Glock pistol was reported stolen from Pekin, Illinois, and contained six rounds of ammunition in its magazine. The Taurus pistol was equipped with an extended magazine holding 21 rounds.

Jones informed the purchaser that he intended to travel to Mississippi to acquire more rifles and pistols for sale. These transactions were conducted despite Jones’s status as a convicted felon, which prohibits firearm possession.

A federal grand jury indicted Jones in March 2026. He pleaded guilty in August 2026 and has remained in custody under the U.S. Marshals Service since his arrest.

At sentencing, U.S. Senior District Judge Michael M. Mihm characterized Jones’s firearm sales as "very business-like and efficient," emphasizing the gravity of the offenses. Judge Mihm remarked, “How could they not have ended up in the wrong hands?” highlighting the inherent risks of illegal firearm distribution. The judge also noted Jones’s prior criminal history, which includes convictions related to firearms and drug offenses, and expressed hope that Jones would desist from further criminal conduct.

Under federal law, each count of felon in possession of a firearm carries a statutory maximum penalty of 15 years imprisonment and a fine up to $250,000.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) conducted the investigation leading to Jones’s indictment and conviction. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Darilynn J. Knauss prosecuted the case on behalf of the government.

This prosecution is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a nationwide initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through coordinated enforcement and community engagement. Launched in 2021, PSN focuses on fostering trust in communities, supporting violence prevention organizations, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring outcomes to enhance neighborhood safety.

Other recent firearm-related sentences in the Central District of Illinois include Coryell Henz of Decatur, sentenced to 120 months imprisonment on October 20, 2026, and Tracy Christine Frerichs of Peoria, sentenced to 120 months imprisonment on October 15, 2026, reflecting ongoing federal efforts to combat gun-related offenses in the region.

Official reference: View the original document.