Arturo Ortega sentenced to four years for unlawful use of weapons by felon

By Tribune Staff • Marsha L. Cascio-Hale, Jackson County State’s Attorney, announced today that Arturo Ortega, 38, of Indiana, was sentenced to 4 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for Unlawful Use of Weapons by a Felon.

On May 6, 2026, Ortega entered a negotiated plea to Unlawful Use of Weapons by a Felon for four years. The case alleged that on Feb. 21, 2026, Carbondale Police

Officers responded to 610 South Illinois Avenue in Carbondale, Illinois, in reference to a man with a knife. Officers spoke with witnesses who indicated that Ortega was

confronted for touching another patron. When confronted, he produced a knife. The incident was captured on video, and Ortega was arrested with the knife still in his

possession. As a convicted felon, the defendant is prohibited from possessing weapons.

The investigation was led by the Carbondale Police Department. The prosecution was led by Assistant State’s Attorney Sophia Allen. ASA Allen explained that violence and

threats of violence are not tolerated and are taken seriously.