Champaign County Pair Charged with Firearms Offenses

URBANA, Ill. – A federal grand jury returned an indictment against an Urbana, Illinois, man, Kevin C. Beasley, 21, currently of the 300 block of North Drive in Rantoul, Illinois, on March 1, 2022, for allegedly possessing a firearm as a previously convicted felon. The grand jury also indicted Ahzhnae D. Vassar, 21, of the 2000 block of Cynthia Drive in Champaign, Illinois, for allegedly making a false statement to a licensed firearms dealer while purchasing a firearm.

The indictment further alleges that Vassar unlawfully obtained possession of a Glock 17 semiautomatic pistol from Rural King in Champaign, Illinois by falsely certifying that she was the true purchaser of that firearm.

Beasley was arrested on February 16, 2022. A summons was issued for Vassar to appear in court on March 17, 2022 on these charges.  

If convicted, the maximum statutory penalties facing Beasley and Vassar for their alleged crimes are a maximum of ten years’ imprisonment; three years of supervised release; and a $250,000 fine.

Agencies participating in the investigation include the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the Champaign Police Department; and the Champaign Street Crimes Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rachel Ritzer is representing the government in the prosecution.

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