Man gets two years in prison for weapon possession

A Carbondale man was sentenced to two years in prison this week after pleading guilty to a firearms charge.

Jackson County State's Attorney Mike Carr says Jonquel M. Gaston, 22, was sentenced Monday to the Illinois Department of Corrections for the offense of unlawful possession of weapons by a felon.

According to Carr, on Feb. 2, Carbondale Police officers observed Gaston, who was known to have an active arrest warrant, in the 500 block of East Main Street. Gaston was arrested on the warrant without incident. 

During a search of his person, officers recovered a loaded .380 caliber handgun in Gaston's pocket. Gaston admitted it was his and that he carried it for protection. As a felon, Gaston is prohibited from possessing firearms.

The investigation was conducted by the Carbondale Police Department.