Peoria man convicted of weapons charge by federal jury

PEORIA, Ill. – A federal jury has convicted a Peoria man on a felony weapons charge.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office says the jury handed down the verdict Wednesday on a count of Possession of a Firearm by a Felon against Vincent Nichols, Jr., 34.

Nichols was in a vehicle in late-September of 2020 that was pulled over by Peoria Police. Prosecutors say a loaded 9mm handgun was found on top of Nichols’ seat.

Nichols will be sentenced July 28th. He could face as much as ten years in prison, or life if he’s found to be a career criminal, given his history.