Peoria, Ill. – Law enforcement agencies are working together to target violent offenders and reduce violent crime in Peoria. The strategy, known as the Peoria Most Violent Offender Program, is one aspect of law enforcement efforts related to a community anti-gun violence program. The Peoria County State’s Attorney’s Office and the Peoria Police Department are working with the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to pro-actively identify and focus on offenders who pose the most violent danger to the community.

Eight local men, all of Peoria, Ill., have been charged with federal firearms offenses in the first arrests made as a result of the strategic approach. Each of the defendants has been charged with possession of a firearm after being convicted of a felony. If convicted, the statutory penalty for the offense is up to 10 years in prison.

The defendants charged, all of Peoria, are:

• Doran M. Anderson, 37, of the 3000 block of W. Flint;
• Edmond C. Simmons, 24, of the 2000 block of N. California;
• Orlando J. Mack, 20, of the 400 block of S. Madison Park Terrace;
• Haven J. Davis, 32, address unavailable, also charged with one count of distribution of heroin on Dec. 29, 2010, and with one count of distribution of crack cocaine on Mar. 16, 2011;
• Tristan L. Shelton, 21, of the 2800 block of W. Marquette;
• Jordan L. Timothy, 22, of the 1600 block of Westmoreland;
• Sherrick A. Newborn, 21, of the 1200 block of W. Johnson St., charged with two counts of felon in possession of a firearm; and,
• Spencer N. Furlow, 24, address unavailable.

The arrests were made over the weekend and six of the eight defendants appeared in federal court yesterday afternoon for arraignment. Furlow is scheduled to appear for arraignment on Apr. 27; Davis is scheduled to appear on May 9. If convicted of the additional drug distribution charges, Davis faces statutory penalties of up to 20 years in prison, and up to 30 years in prison if the defendant has one or more prior felony drug convictions.

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