Peru man gets 4 years for violating probation on firearm rap

A Peru man was sentenced Friday to four years in prison for firing a 2019 shot that missed a car but hit a building — and for twice violating his felony probation.

Kevin T. Jones, 22, of 1818 Fourth St., managed to secure the minimum sentence for aggravated discharge of a firearm (range: 4-15 years) but is subject to the state Truth In Sentencing Act requiring certain felons to serve at least 85% of their prison terms. With more than a year in time served, he could be paroled in summer 2023.

Jones’ legal problems began in November 2019 when he admitted firing a gun at a moving vehicle occupied by two people with whom he’d been quarreling. He missed and hit a rear door at Beck’s in La Salle. He was granted four years reporting probation.

Jones violated his probation twice. He was first held in violation following an August trial but then re-sentenced to probation on Oct. 16. Less than a month later, he admitted using a lost credit card to buy cognac.