Jan
EAST ST. LOUIS — Alorton street director Ronnie D. Cummings was in federal court Monday morning for an initial hearing and arraignment before Magistrate Judge Donald G. Wilkerson.
Cummings, wearing a charcoal gray shirt with light gray pin stripes in it and blue jeans, pleaded not guilty to two federal charges. He wore shackles around his waist, hands and ankles.
Cummings is charged with being a previously convicted felon in possession of firearm ammunition and making false statements to federal agents. He was represented by Adam Fein, an attorney with Scott Rosenblum’s law firm in St. Louis.
Cummings asked to be released on bond until trial.
Wilkerson told Cummings he had good and bad news to give him. The good news — “You will get a detention hearing.” The bad news — “It won’t be before Monday afternoon.”
Cummings faces up to 10 years if he’s convicted of being in possession of firearm ammunition. He faces up to five years if he’s convicted for making false statements.
Cummings told Wilkerson he had not had any alcoholic beverages, was not under psychiatric care and there was no reason that he was limited in his understanding of what was going on in his case. Cummings said he and Fein had gone over everything pertaining to his case and he was comfortable.
Wilkerson told Cummings that his case was set for a pre-trial hearing before U.S. District Judge Patrick G. Murphy on March 19, and trial is set for April 3.
U.S. Assistant Attorney Norman R. Smith, representing the federal government, had previously filed a motion requesting that Cummings be detained. Fein wants his client to be released. He maintained that the government only has allegations, not facts.
“You’re entitled to a hearing where the government has to prove that you’re a danger to the community or a danger not to show up for the dates I’ve given you,” Wilkerson told Cummings as he stared directly at him.
Cummings’ attorney requested a continuance, saying that he needed a few additional days to prepare for the detention hearing.
Cummings was remanded to the U.S. Marshall Service, where he will be held in federal custody at least until Monday.
The gray van that Cummings drove for his job in Alorton sat idle Monday afternoon in front of the Alorton Village Hall.
Copyright 2012 Belleville News-Democrat. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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