Date: 03-31-2025

Case Style:

United States of America v. Michael Oliver

Case Number:

Judge: Michael Oliver

Court: The United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois

Plaintiff's Attorney: The United States Attorney’s Office for East St. Louis

Defendant's Attorney:

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Description:

East St. Louis, Illinois criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with caught with a firearm as a convicted felon
Convicted felon sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for possessing a firearm

A district judge sentenced a Belleville man to 240 months’ imprisonment after he was caught with a firearm as a convicted felon after a police chase in Washington County.

In December, a federal jury convicted Michael Oliver, 46, of one count of felon in possession of a firearm.

“This 20-year sentence delivers an unmistakable warning: felons who arm themselves, flee justice, and threaten our officers’ safety will confront the full, unwavering strength of our commitment to protect those who serve—accountability isn’t just a word, it’s our mission,” said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Nashville Police Department officers tried to conduct a traffic stop on Oliver’s vehicle on July 5, 2024, but Oliver kept driving and tried to evade law enforcement.

"The Nashville Police Department would like to thank the assistance received during this investigation. The ATF was extremely resourceful to our agency during this investigation, and the U. S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Illinois did an excellent job with the prosecution of this case,” said Nashville Police Lt. Brock Styninger. “We look forward to working with these agencies again in the future to help bring dangerous individuals to justice."

Oliver took officers on a chase through the grass of the Perry County Courthouse. Deputies with the Perry County Sheriff’s Office tried to cut off Oliver in the roadway, and Oliver struck the police vehicle. Oliver then proceeded to flee on foot until his arrest.

Along the police chase route, officers located a Lorcin model L380 firearm Oliver discarded from his vehicle.

“ATF has no greater mission than working with our law enforcement partners to bring those who blatantly disregard the safety of our communities, to justice. As this sentence shows, those who choose to put the lives of our citizens and police officers at risk, will be held accountable,” said Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Special Agent in Charge, Bernard Hansen.

Following imprisonment, Oliver will serve four years of supervised release.

The Nashville Police Department and ATF contributed to the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Hudson prosecuted the case.

Outcome:

Defendant was found guilty and sentenced to 240 months’ imprisonment

Plaintiff's Experts:

Defendant's Experts:

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