Illinois police recently arrested two young men after they were called to the scene of a convenience store. One of the men was arrested on drug charges, while the other faces a misdemeanor charge for allegedly resisting arrest. At least one of the men was still in custody on $7,500 bond at last report, and was awaiting his first court appearance.
Police were first called to the convenience store around 7:30 p.m., when someone complained that there were two men yelling about having a gun. Authorities claim that the two 19-year-old men were standing outside of the store when they arrived. When ordered to get down on the ground, one man complied while the other allegedly attempted to run away, but tripped as he tried to leave.
The man, according to police, attempted to run told the police that he was carrying a BB gun, and was arrested for resisting arrest. The man who initially complied with the authorities’ request was also arrested, but on much more serious allegations. He allegedly had cocaine and cannabis in his backpack, and was later found with Xanax pills on his person. He is charged with two felony counts.
Although criminal charges of any kind are a serious matter that may impact a person’s personal and professional lives, felony charges that result in convictions tend to carry much stepper penalties than misdemeanors. The Illinois man accused of felony possession could possibly face 15 years in prison for a single cocaine possession charge. While serious, most defendants can minimize the impact of drug charges, whether through a plea deal that offers lesser charges or by contesting the allegations throughout the criminal proceedings.
Source: news-gazette.com, “Man arrested near Campustown convenience store faces drug charges“, Mary Schenk, Nov. 9, 2017