Rock Island, Ill. – Rodger A. Heaton, U.S. Attorney for the Central District of Illinois, announced that a federal grand jury today charged Ajustin Hughes, 25, of Davenport, Iowa, with possession of a firearm after being convicted of a felony. According to the indictment, Hughes has prior felony convictions in Iowa for possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and sponsoring a gathering where controlled substances are unlawfully used. The indictment alleges that on July 5, 2009, in Rock Island, Hughes possessed a Smith and Wesson 38 caliber revolver.

The charge is the result of an investigation by the Rock Island County Integrity Task Force; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and the Rock Island Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael D. McCoy is prosecuting the case under the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhood program with the cooperation of the Rock Island County State’s Attorney’s Office.

If convicted, possession of a firearm by a felon carries a statutory penalty of up to 10 years in prison.

Hughes, of the 2300 block of Redwood Avenue, Davenport, Iowa, was charged in a federal criminal complaint filed on July 8, 2009. Hughes waived a hearing on detention and was ordered to remain detained in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial.

According to the affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, at about 2:39 a.m. on July 5, 2009, officers with the Rock Island Police Department responded to the area of 18th Street and 2nd Avenue in Rock Island after receiving a report of a fight and a large crowd that had gathered in the area. Hughes allegedly drew a revolver from his waist, pointed the weapon into the crowd and fired one round. After the shooting, Hughes allegedly ran from uniformed officers. He was apprehended a short time later near 18th Street and 5th Avenue in Rock Island.

Members of the public are reminded that an indictment is merely an accusation; the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.