Springfield, IL  (CAPITOL CITY NOW) — Alvin D. Billups, 36, of Springfield, was sentenced on Wednesday to four-and-a-half years in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a felon.

The case stems from a June 2023 incident when Springfield police officers, patrolling a block party, approached a car with an open alcohol container. Billups, who was in the driver’s seat, was found with a Taurus G2 9mm pistol. As a convicted felon, Billups is prohibited from possessing firearms. U.S. District Judge Colleen R. Lawless noted Billups’ history of firearms offenses during the sentencing.

Billups has been in custody since his arrest in August 2023 and pleaded guilty in May 2024. The Springfield Police Department, along with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, investigated the case.

After serving his sentence, Billups will spend three years on supervised release. The prosecution is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a national initiative aimed at reducing violent crime.