Danville man convicted on unlawful firearm possession charge

DANVILLE, Ill. (WCIA) — A Danville man is going back to prison after prosecutors said he was caught with a gun despite being prohibited from having one.

Prosecutors with the Vermilion County State's Attorney's Office said Joseph Vecellio, 34, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon. At the same hearing, Judge Mark Goodwin sentenced Vecellio to six years in prison.

Evidence presented in court showed that in December of last year, shots were fired on South Street in Danville. Witnesses told police they saw Vecellio carrying a paintball gun and then displaying a firearm; they said he fired the gun and then got into a car. Officers found three .40 caliber shell casings at the scene.

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The following day, evidence showed Vecellio was driving a car that was pulled over for a Vehicle Code violation; his license was also suspended, prosecutors said.

When officers asked the passenger in Vecellio's car to get out, she was allowed to grab her jacket due to the cold weather. Prosecutors said that when the passenger picked up her jacket, officers spotted a gun. It turned out to be a .40 caliber that had Vecellio's DNA on it.

A further search of the car also found a paintball gun.

Jaqueline Lacy, the Vermilion County State's Attorney, thanked the Danville Police Department in a news release for their efforts in the investigation and promised to continue working with them to reduce violent crime due to repeat offenders.

Vacellio will have to spend one year on parole after he is released from prison.