PEORIA, Ill. – A Peoria man could have received as much as ten years in federal prison for a felony weapons charge he pleaded guilty to.
Instead, the U.S. Attorney’s Office says a federal judge Thursday sentenced Dontarius Dixon, 29, to only nine months in prison on a charge of Making a False Statement During the Purchase of a Firearm.
Dixon — prosecutors say — bought a firearm in September of 2020 he claimed in paperwork was for himself, but was really for an acquaintance. Not long after purchasing the gun, authorities say, Peoria Police found it in a vehicle outside a night club and was in the possession of a street gang member.
Dixon didn’t admit to the so-called “straw purchase” until after an incident where he was shot.
He had been out of custody on bond prior to sentencing.
