Mount Vernon, IL – A residential burglary investigation in Jefferson County has led to multiple arrests, the recovery of stolen firearms, and the execution of four search warrants across the Mount Vernon and Belle Rive area this week.
According to the Mount Vernon Police Department, detectives obtained new information Wednesday night related to a residential burglary reported in early December in Jefferson County. That information led investigators to secure a search warrant for a residence in Belle Rive.
In the early morning hours of Saturday, January 3, the Mount Vernon Police Department and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office High Risk Team executed the warrant, recovering multiple stolen items, including firearms. Police said one firearm had its serial number defaced and was confirmed to be stolen from the earlier burglary.
David K. Porter, 24, of Belle Rive, was taken into custody and charged with residential burglary, unlawful possession of a firearm by a repeat felony offender, possession of a stolen firearm, and defacing identification marks on a firearm. Police said a parole warrant had also been issued for Porter earlier in the week.
Further investigation led authorities to serve three additional search warrants early Wednesday morning, January 7, across Mount Vernon and Jefferson County.
At a residence in the 1700 block of Harlan Road, police said a juvenile was taken into custody on an unrelated warrant. Riley M. Scott, 22, of Mount Vernon, was charged with obstructing justice after ammunition was allegedly located inside the home. Scott was later released under the SAFE-T Act.
A second search at a home in the 1000 block of Abbott Lane resulted in the arrest of Ray C. Garrison, 20, of Belle Rive. Police said Garrison was charged with defacing identification marks on a firearm, armed violence, methamphetamine possession, and possession of a stolen firearm.
The final warrant was served in the 300 block of Gum Street in Belle Rive. Gavin A. Bradford, 18, was charged with obstructing justice and residential burglary.
Authorities say additional stolen property was recovered, and the joint investigation remains ongoing.
All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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