Chicago, IL – Two Chicago men are facing multiple felony charges after Cook County Sheriff’s Police said officers recovered loaded firearms and suspected narcotics during a traffic stop near the city’s Magnificent Mile.
According to the Cook County Sheriff’s Office, officers with the Community Safety Team stopped a gray Jaguar SUV at approximately 3:35 p.m. on Saturday, July 12, in the 700 block of North Michigan Avenue after discovering the vehicle had suspended registration. Authorities also determined the driver had an expired driver’s license.
Police said the driver and two passengers exited the SUV because it was being towed. While doing so, officers reported smelling cannabis coming from inside the vehicle.
During a search of the SUV before it was towed, deputies said they recovered two firearms near where Frederick McDonald, 30, had been seated. Investigators also alleged they found 52 clear bags containing suspected heroin in McDonald’s pants pocket.
According to the sheriff’s office, officers also recovered a bag containing suspected cannabis and heroin near where James Wilson, 29, had been sitting.
Following the investigation, the driver was released without charges.
McDonald has been charged with armed violence, felon in possession of a weapon, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, possession of heroin, and manufacture/delivery of heroin.
Wilson has been charged with possession of heroin, manufacture/delivery of heroin, and possession of cannabis.
According to the Cook County Sheriff’s Office, both men appeared in court on Sunday, July 13. McDonald was ordered held in custody and also faces an alleged violation of pretrial release conditions in a previous case. Wilson was ordered released on the new charges but remains in custody for an alleged violation of pretrial release conditions in a separate case.
The allegations against McDonald and Wilson have been made by law enforcement, and the charges have not been proven in court. Both are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
