Danville man sentenced to prison for unlawful gun possession

DANVILLE, Ill. (WCIA) — A Danville man has been sentenced to several years in prison after he pleaded guilty to possessing a gun as a felon.

Prosecutors with the Vermilion County State’s Attorney’s Office said Deponshia Davis pleaded guilty last Friday to the Class 2 felony. The charge stemmed from a shooting almost exactly one year prior to the sentencing hearing .

Evidence presented in court showed that on Sept. 12, 2023, Davis got into a fight with someone and shot him. Security cameras recorded the fight and the shooting, and the footage was used to identify Davis as the shooter. As a convicted felon, Davis is not allowed to own a gun.

Davis was arrested hours later and was charged with aggravated battery with a firearm and possession of a weapon by a felon. He pleaded guilty to the latter charge and was sentenced to eight years in prison, with credit given for the year he’s already served in custody.

“Convicted felons illegally obtaining guns pose a threat to the safety of our community, and my office will continue to work with police to prosecute those found in violation of the law,” State’s Attorney Jacqueline Lacy said in a statement.

After release from prison, Davis will have to spend one year on parole.

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