On Feb. 6, Patrick Banks, 38, formerly of Danville, pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon — forcible felony, a class 2 felony, and was sentenced to 5 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections, followed by 1 year mandatory supervised release.
Banks also pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon — prior forcible felony, a class 2 felony, in a separate case and was also sentenced to 5 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections, followed by 1 year mandatory supervised release. The sentences are to be served consecutively.
Circuit Judge Robert McIntire heard evidence that on Sept. 15, 2021, Banks was seen with a handgun. On Sept. 21, 2021, following an investigation by the Danville Police Department, Banks was questioned and searched at which time a gun was recovered from his possession.
Circuit Judge Robert McIntire also heard evidence in the other case that police responded to the Amoco gas station on Main Street in Danville on the morning of Dec. 11, 2023, for reports that Banks pulled a gun on a victim around 9:45 a.m. Danville police were able to locate the vehicle Banks was seen driving, running outside of a residence on Giddings Street in Danville.
Danville police obtained a search warrant and located the gun described by the victim, along with Banks’ identification and debit cards.
State’s Attorney Jacqueline Lacy thanked the Danville Police Department for its continued efforts to take guns out of the hands of felons. She added, “My office will continue to work to hold violent repeat offenders accountable in order to keep Vermilion County safe.”