DANIEL PATTERSON SENTENCED TO 10 YEARS FOR UNLAWFUL
POSSESSION OF WEAPONS BY A FELON AND ATTEMPTED
BURGLARY
Marsha L. Cascio-Hale, Jackson County State’s Attorney, announced today that Daniel
Patterson, 38, of Carbondale, Illinois, was sentenced to 10 years in the Illinois
Department of Corrections for two counts of Unlawful Possession of Weapons by a
Felon and one count of Attempted Burglary.
On December 15, 2025, Patterson entered an open plea to two separate counts of
Unlawful Possession of a Weapon by a Felon and one count of Attempted Burglary. The
cases alleged that on February 8, 2026, Carbondale Police Officers responded to 2255
Reed Station Road in Carbondale, Illinois, to a burglary of a business in progress. Due
to a previous burglary a few days prior, the business had set up trail cameras and
alerted officers that someone was actively attempting to burglarize the building. When
officers arrived, they located a male, later identified as Patterson, actively attempting to
open the doors of the business. After a brief chase, Patterson was arrested. Patterson
had driven a vehicle to the location, and inside that vehicle officers found two firearms.
As a convicted felon, Patterson is prohibited from possessing firearms.
A sentencing hearing was conducted on May 6, 2026, where arguments were presented
by Jackson County Assistant State’s Attorney Sophia Allen and defense counsel. The
judge ultimately sentenced Patterson to 10 years in the Illinois Department of
Corrections.
The investigation was led by the Carbondale Police Department. The prosecution was
led by Assistant State’s Attorney Sophia Allen. ASA Allen stated that firearm-related
crimes and property crimes are both taken seriously by this office.
“Not only was law enforcement able to stop a burglary, but they were able
to take weapons off the street as well. We commend their bravery.”
— State’s Attorney Marsha Cascio-Hale
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responsibility carries with it specific obligations to see that the defendant is accorded procedural justice,
and that guilt is decided upon the basis of sufficient evidence. Except for statements that are necessary toinform the public of the nature and extent of the prosecutor’s action and that serve a legitimate law
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about pending cases or investigations which would pose a serious and imminent threat to the fairness of
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