Federal Prosecutor Ron Hanna named new magistrate judge in Peoria

Posted on April 23, 2025

PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — A longtime federal prosecutor was sworn in Wednesday as a new federal magistrate judge.

Ron Hanna, 49, will fill the vacancy created when Jonanthan Hawley was made a district judge. Hawley took the magistrate position in 2013.

Hanna was appointed to the bench after being recommended by Merit Selection Panel and with the concurrence of district judges in the Central District of Illinois which has courthouses in Rock Island, Urbana, Springfield and Peoria.

Magistrate judges in the Central District conduct most preliminary proceedings in criminal cases, preside over trials and dispositions in misdemeanor cases and conduct various pretrial hearings. They also preside over civil trials and dispositions in civil cases upon the consent of the parties.

Hanna received his bachelor’s degree in 1998 and his law degree in 2001. He was in private practice until 2015 when he joined the Peoria U.S. Attorney’s office, where he worked until being appointed judge.

While a federal prosecutor, Hanna led the prosecution of the Bomb Squad street gang, a case that went to trial in 2019 and resulted in 13 guilty verdicts. The men are charged with racketeering, conspiracy and violating the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. All were sentenced to significant sentences in prison.

“As a native of Peoria, I’m honored to have this opportunity to serve the Central District of Illinois in this new role,” he said.

WMBD TV can be reached at [email protected].

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