A Rockford resident, Timothy Gentry, 47, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for illegal possession of a firearm as a convicted felon. The sentencing took place on Tuesday in federal court in Rockford, presided over by U.S. District Judge Iain D. Johnston.
According to a plea agreement, Gentry admitted that on July 6, 2023, he sold a loaded handgun to an individual in Rockford who was cooperating with law enforcement. Gentry has previous convictions for multiple violent felonies in state courts and is classified as an Armed Career Criminal under federal law.
The announcement was made by Andrew S. Boutros, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Christopher Amon, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Division of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives. The Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office assisted in the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan S. Kim represented the government.
“Holding illegal firearm possessors accountable through federal prosecution is a centerpiece of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). In the Northern District of Illinois, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and law enforcement partners have deployed the PSN program to attack a broad range of violent crime issues facing the district, particularly firearm offenses,” according to the statement.
