EAST ST. LOUIS — A federal jury on May 6, 2026, convicted Anthony D. Bradley Jr., 37, of possessing a firearm as a previously convicted felon after a two-day trial stemming from an October 2024 encounter in East St. Louis, authorities said.
Bradley, described in court documents as a prior felon, was indicted by a federal grand jury in November 2024. Officers observed him possessing a firearm on Oct. 28, 2024, during a proactive crime suppression detail that included the John De Shields housing complex in East St. Louis, Illinois, according to the case information.
Court documents state Bradley was previously convicted of state charges for second-degree murder and multiple state and federal charges involving illegal firearm possession. Bradley stipulated before trial that he was a convicted felon and that he knew he was a convicted felon at the time of the offense conduct.
“Convicted felons, like Anthony Bradley, who unlawfully possess firearms contribute to the plague of gun violence threatening our local communities,” U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft said. “The jury’s verdict holds Bradley accountable for his wrongful possession and supports our office’s commitment to ensure the safety of southern Illinois. I commend the effort of ISP’s Public Safety Enforcement Group for their continued efforts in bringing these offenders to justice.”
The evidence presented at trial proved Bradley unlawfully possessed a firearm in East St. Louis, authorities said. After the trial, Bradley entered a stipulation and consent to forfeit the firearm to the United States. The jury deliberated for approximately two hours and 20 minutes.
“This guilty verdict holds a felon who repeatedly broke the law accountable and is a big win for the Metro East community,” Illinois State Police Director Brendan F. Kelly said. “Officers in our Public Safety Enforcement Group and Statewide Antiviolence Enforcement unit are committed to making communities safer and ISP will continue to dedicate resources to get criminals out of our neighborhoods.”
Illinois State Police led the investigation with assistance from its Public Safety Enforcement Group and Firearms Investigation Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kimberly Arshi and Ali Burns prosecuted the case.
Authorities said the case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, which is part of Operation Take Back America, described as a nationwide Department of Justice initiative aimed at repelling illegal immigration, eliminating cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protecting communities from perpetrators of violent crime.
Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 1, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. in the East St. Louis Courthouse.
