Vermilion County Man Indicted on Gun, Drug Charges

Urbana, Ill. – A grand jury has returned an indictment that charges Jesse Harper, 28, of Potomac, Ill., with possession of a firearm by a felon and possession of pseudoephedrine. The two-count indictment was returned yesterday.  Harper will appear in federal court in Urbana for arraignment at a future date to be determined by the U.S. Clerk of the Court.  Harper remains in law enforcement custody.

The indictment alleges that on Sept. 18, 2015, Harper unlawfully possessed a Colt .45 caliber handgun, after having previously been convicted of a felony offense, and pseudoephedrine while having reasonable cause to believe it would be used to manufacture methamphetamine.

If convicted, the statutory maximum penalty for being a felon in possession of a firearm is up to 10 years in prison, and a fine of up to $250,000. For the possession of pseudoephedrine  offense, the maximum penalty is 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Bryan D. Freres in cooperation with the Vermilion County State’s Attorney’s Office. The charges are the result of an investigation by the Vermilion County Metropolitan Enforcement Group (VMEG), the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Vermilion County Sheriff’s Office, and the Danville Police Department.

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