Dalton Smith, 29, a resident of Springfield, has been handed a three-year prison sentence by Senior U.S. District Court Judge Sue E. Myerscough. The verdict comes after Smith's conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm and his involvement in the sale of a stolen Colt AR-15 style rifle.
The court found Smith guilty of knowingly selling a stolen AR-15, equipped with a 30-round high-capacity magazine, for $450. This firearm was part of a series of stolen weapons and components taken from a local residence in January 2023. Smith's previous felony record includes a conviction for breaking and entering in North Carolina.
Having entered a guilty plea on April 25, 2023, Smith has remained in the custody of the United States Marshals Service since his apprehension on March 16, 2023.
Judge Myerscough noted that possessing a firearm as a felon could result in up to 15 years of imprisonment, accompanied by three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. Meanwhile, knowingly possessing and distributing a stolen weapon carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.
The Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives collaborated in investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sierra Senor-Moore led the prosecution on behalf of the government.