Man pleads guilty to weapons charge after DNA from baseball hat identifies him | Top Stories | wandtv.com

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DANVILLE, Ill. (WAND) - DNA taken from a baseball hat was used to help identify a man who has now pleaded guilty to a weapons charge in Danville.

Jamarre McNeal, 23, of Danville pleaded guilty to Unlawful Possession of a Weapon by a Felon, a class 3 felony, for 7 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections to be followed by 6 months of mandatory supervised release.

Judge Robert McIntire heard evidence that on April 2, 2023 the Danville Police Department was called to West Fairchild and North Franklin Streets in Danville for multiple reports of shots fired.

Officers collected video evidence which captured the shooting as it happened, as well as the individuals who were suspected to be involved.

McNeal was identified in the video, wearing a black baseball cap, officials said. They said McNeal was seen on the video firing multiple shots from the parking lot of a business located on West Fairchild Street after being shot at by an unknown person.

Video evidence also showed McNeal getting into a vehicle which then left the scene. As McNeal was shooting, police said the baseball cap fell off.

Officers recovered the baseball cap at the scene, and it was sent to the Illinois State Police Forensic Science Laboratory for DNA analysis. The analysis provided “Very Strong Support” that Jamarre McNeal was a contributor to the DNA profile.

State’s Attorney Lacy said, “Felons who disregard the law cause increased crime in our community. My office will continue to work with police to seek strong sentences for these criminals in order to keep the citizens of Vermilion County safe.”

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