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Bloomington man sentenced to nearly 8 years on gun charge

A gavel sits on a judge's bench. On top of that photo, the words "WGLT Courts" appears.
WGLT file photo

A Bloomington man was sentenced Thursday to nearly eight years in prison on a weapons charge.

U.S. District Judge Joe McDade sentenced Lamel Johnson, 39, to seven years and eight months for unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Prosecutors said Johnson acted as armed security during a gun sale. Police arrested him a short time later during a traffic stop when they discovered a loaded handgun in his waistband.

Johnson has several prior felony convictions, including armed robbery and drug trafficking. He was indicted in January 2021 and pleaded guilty in June 2022. He remained in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service following his arrest.

Johnson also faces three years of supervised release after he gets out of prison.

The Normal Police Department conducted the investigation along with the Federal Bureau of Investigations, the McLean County Sheriff’s office, the McLean County State’s Attorney’s office, Illinois State Police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

Eric Stock is the News Director at WGLT. You can contact Eric at ejstoc1@ilstu.edu.
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