U.S DISTRICT COURT, SOUTHERN DISTRICT, ILLINOIS—On August 29, 2014, Dennis A. Higgins, a/k/a “Dingo,” 43, of Marion, Ill., pled guilty to a one-count indictment charging Possession of a Firearm by a Felon, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.
Evidence at the plea hearing established that, on May 9, 2014, agents executed a search warrant at Higgins’s Marion residence. Agents located two 12 gauge shotguns. Higgins admitted that the guns were his. Because Higgins had previously been convicted of a felony, he is prohibited from possessing firearms.
The firearm offense carries a penalty of up to 10 years’ imprisonment, to be followed by 3 years’ supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. Higgins is currently being held without bond pending a December 10, 2014, sentencing hearing.
The investigation was conducted by the Southern Illinois Enforcement Group. The Marion Police Department, Williamson County Sheriff’s Office, and Williamson County States Attorney’s Office also assisted in the investigation.
The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Amanda A. Robertson for prosecution.