Ricky Dandridge, formerly of Danville, pleaded guilty on Nov. 17 and was sentenced to 2 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for the offense of Unlawful Use of a Weapon, a class 4 felony, 3 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for the offense of Possession of a Firearm No FOID (Not Eligible), a class 3 felony, and to 5 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for the offense of Possession of a Firearm No FOID (Not Eligible), a class 3 felony.
Judge Derek Girton accepted the plea agreement and sentenced Dandridge, who will serve all sentences consecutively, for a total of 10 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.
The Court heard evidence that on Oct. 27, 2021, Dandridge was the driver of a vehicle that was pulled over by an officer with the Danville Police Department for speeding on South Gilbert Street in Danville. The officer noticed the defendant repeatedly reaching down to the right as he was being pulled over. Upon approach of the vehicle the officer could see an alcohol bottle, so the car was subsequently searched.
The search of the vehicle revealed a loaded gun in a panel to the right of the driver.
Evidence was presented in a separate case that on April 23, 2022, Dandridge was stopped by officers with the Danville Police Department while driving a vehicle due to a suspended registration. As the officers approached the vehicle, there was an odor of cannabis. A search of the vehicle uncovered a loaded firearm with an extended magazine on the floorboard of the driver’s seat. Dandridge attempted to run from police on foot, but he was apprehended and arrested.
Additionally, the Court heard evidence that on Sept. 7, 2022, officers with the Danville Police Department attempted a traffic stop of a vehicle driven by Dandridge. Police pursued the vehicle with emergency lights and sirens activated and were led on a chase.
Dandridge failed to stop at multiple stop signs and was driving at one point with all exterior lights turned off. Dandridge eventually crashed the vehicle into a fence and fled the scene with a black backpack. Officers apprehended Dandridge still carrying the black backpack. Inside the backpack officers located cannabis and a firearm which was loaded and reported stolen out of Henderson, Kentucky.
State’s Attorney Jacqueline Lacy thanked the Danville Police Department for their persistence against repeat offenders illegally possessing firearms. She added, “Our community, like many others in the country, has become seemingly plagued with illegal gun activity. My office will continue to work with law enforcement to get illegal guns off the streets.”