LAKE COUNTY, Ill. – A local court has handed down a 40-year prison sentence to 31-year-old Carnell Wesson after he was found guilty in two separate cases involving firearms. The decision, pronounced by a Lake County judge, culminates a series of legal proceedings triggered by multiple arrests over the past two years.
In the first of these cases, officers from the Zion Police Department apprehended Wesson in March 2022. At that time, he was a passenger in a vehicle where investigators found two firearms. He faced charges of being an armed habitual criminal and was detained at Lake County Jail. Wesson was able to secure his release on a $15,000 bond in September 2022, prior to Illinois enacting a stricter bail reform law which now imposes greater restrictions on bond availability for firearm-related offenses.
While out on bond, Wesson’s legal troubles compounded when he was arrested again in December 2022. This time, the charges included aggravated discharge of a weapon and a repeat of the armed habitual criminal charge, connected to a separate shooting incident.
Following trials, a jury convicted Wesson in September 2023 for the infractions from March 2022, and a subsequent jury found him guilty in October 2023 for the December 2022 charges. At the sentencing, the prosecution stressed Wesson’s history of violent behavior, his gang affiliations, and his extensive criminal record. Incidents cited during the proceedings included an altercation with another inmate and testimonies regarding his gang involvement, which collectively painted a picture of a high-risk individual.
Prosecutors proposed a sentencing range of 30 to 40 years, citing the defendant’s criminal history and ongoing behavior as significant factors. The judge concurred with the prosecution’s recommendation, assigning Wesson 15 years for the March 2022 incident and an additional 25 years for the December 2022 shooting. The sentences are to be served consecutively, leading to a total of 40 years behind bars.
Furthermore, Wesson has been credited for 855 days already served in custody. Under the terms of his sentence, he is required to serve at least 85% of the 40-year sentence before he is eligible for release, highlighting the severity of his convictions and the court’s intent to impose a substantial punitive measure.
This case highlights the ongoing repercussions for firearm-related offences and reflects the tighter regulations surrounding bail for such incidents in Illinois. The consecutive nature of the sentences also emphasizes the judicial system’s commitment to addressing repeat offenders and violent crimes within the community.
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