OGLESBY, Ill. — Leeonta Patton, 28, pleaded guilty Thursday to felony drug possession charges in La Salle County Circuit Court but remains set to face trial on two gun felony charges linked to a 2024 La Salle shooting.
Patton entered a blind plea to one count of unlawful possession of a controlled substance, a Class X felony carrying six to 30 years in prison. The charge relates to a November 7 drug raid on his residence, where agents seized about 21 grams of fentanyl and evidence of intent to distribute.
Patton remains in custody with no sentencing date set for the drug charge. Instead, his next court appearance is scheduled for January 15, when a bench trial will be held on charges of armed habitual criminal and aggravated discharge of a firearm related to a July 28, 2024, shooting in downtown La Salle.
Prosecutors presented surveillance video showing Patton drawing a handgun and firing during the incident. The victim was injured but later refused to cooperate with police.
Sentencing on the drug charge will be postponed until the outcome of the shooting trial.
