Springfield, Ill. – Acting U.S. Attorney Jeffrey B. Lang, Central District of Illinois, announced that a federal grand jury today charged David A. Ladd, 36of the 800 block of North 8th Street, Quincy, Illinois, with possession of a firearm after being convicted of a felony. The indictment alleges that on August 28, 2009, in Adams county, Ladd possessed a .22 caliber Sturm, Ruger and Co. pistol.

The charge is the result of an investigation by the Adams County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick J. Chesley is prosecuting the case under the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhood program with the cooperation of the Adams 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.

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