Circuit Judge Gail Noll sentenced Keanthony D. Brown to 10 years in prison today for the Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm (Class 1 Felony; served at 85%) and 8 years for Possession of a Weapon by a Gang Member (Class 2 Felony; served at 50%). The sentences will be served concurrently. Brown previously pleaded guilty to both offenses on May 3, 2022.
The case arose from an incident on October 10, 2020, during which Brown fired a handgun at a vehicle occupied by two members of the Springfield Police Department Street Crimes Unit and fled from the scene.
First Assistant State’s Attorney Derek Dion presented evidence in aggravation including Brown’s membership in “Boss Playas”, a Springfield Street gang, including numerous photographs and videos of Brown posing with fellow gang members holding firearms and Brown’s social media posts boasting about gun violence. Brown faced a potential sentence of up to 15 years in prison. The State’s Attorney’s Office recommended a sentence of 12 years and defense counsel, Attorney Scott Hanken, asked the Court to sentence Brown to a period of impact incarceration or “boot camp” which could have resulted in his release within months.
Following the sentencing, Sangamon County State’s Attorney Dan Wright stated, “This sentence sends a strong message that gun violence will not be tolerated. This case is a prime example of a young man whose choice to join a gang and participate in acts of gun violence resulted in a substantial prison sentence, years of his life he could have dedicated to building a career and supporting his young child. Gun violence is never the answer and we will continue the fight along with dedicated law enforcement partners like the Springfield Police Department.”