Illinois man charged with possession of drugs, firearms

By submitted, 12/8/17 9:13 AM

 

HOPE – At approximately 12:18 a.m. on Thursday December 7, Deputy Derick Bunn was standing outside the Hempstead County Sheriff’s Office and witnessed a gold colored car driving West on 4th Street from Hervey Street without headlights on.

The vehicle stopped at the stop sign at 4th and Washington and turned north towards 3rd Street accelerated to a high rate of speed and failed to stop at the stop sign at 3rd and Washington.  The vehicle went airborne, landing on the North side of 3rd Street on Washington causing sparks to come from under the car.

Bunn gave pursuit and witnessed the same gold colored car run the stop sign on 3rd and Ferguson.  Bunn sped up to get behind the vehicle and activated his emergency lights and the vehicle ran the stop sign at 4th and Ferguson Street and came to a stop between 4th and 5th Streets on Ferguson.

Bunn made contact with the driver who identified himself as James Wesley Anderson of Litchfield Illinois. Bunn reportedly smelled an odor of what he believed to be marijuana coming from the vehicle and requested for a unit of the Hope Police Department to assist him.

Upon arrival of HPD Officer Hunter Halliday and Bunn asked Anderson to step out of the vehicle, he refused. Halliday stepped up to the window and also asked for Anderson to step out of the vehicle. Two other HPD officers arrived Officer Johnny Weaver and Corporal Thomas Perez, both officers asked Anderson to step out of the vehicle and he stated he did not feel safe to do so. Weaver attempted to open the door but Anderson pulled the door closed.

Weaver got the door open while Bunn held the door as Weaver reached in and got the keys to the car. Weaver and Bunn got Anderson out of the vehicle and placed him in hand cuffs.  As Weaver felt around Anderson’s waist during the body search he located a holster. Weaver asked where the pistol was and Anderson stated it was in the center console. Weaver asked if anything else was in the vehicle.  Anderson stated he had several guns and marijuana in the vehicle.

The officers located a small jar of green leafy substance believed to be marijuana, pistol, and drug paraphernalia. Bunn located a pistol in the center console with a full magazine and a round in the chamber. Upon further search of the vehicle a large glass jar partially filled with a green leafy substance was located in a bag in the back seat. Also in that bag was a glove containing a white ball with a brown tar like substance, a contact case containing in one side a small usable amount of a white crystal-like substance believed to be methamphetamine.

Officers also discovered $11,963 in cash and 20 firearms, among the firearms were three AK-47 semi-auto rifles, a Ruger 9mm semi-auto pistol, three Para 1911 .45 Caliber semi-auto handguns, a Kimber 45 caliber handgun, two Colt .45 semi auto handguns a para 1911 .45 caliber semi-auto handgun, a Colt Government .45 caliber handgun, three Mag 9mm semi auto pistols, a Ruger .22 caliber semi auto handgun, a SWD Inc. M11 9mm semi auto pistol, a Kimber .45 semi auto handgun. A Remington .22 Caliber bot action rifle, and a Remington 30.06 Springfield bolt action rifle. Also, along with the weapons, approximately 1,000 rounds of AK 47 ammunition along with several hundred rounds of various ammunition and loaded and empty clips for all the weapon were found in the vehicle

Bunn transported Anderson to the Hempstead County Detention Center where he was booked on careless and prohibited driving, disobeying a stop sign, no headlights, possession of drug paraphernalia, simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms, possession of controlled substance, methamphetamine, and possession of a controlled substance, marijuana.  Anderson is being held pending a first court appearance.