A Galesburg man appeared in court today on a newly filed charge of armed habitual criminal, a Class X felony worth up to 30 years in prison.
Judge Thomas Ewing read the new charge to 24-year-old Deshawn D. Drain, who had been arrested Wednesday and charged with unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon, possession of a firearm by a gang member and other lesser charges.
The amended charge replaces possession by a felon, which carried a maximum sentence of 14 years. Armed habitual criminal applies to armed suspects convicted of two or more past forcible felonies.
According to police reports, Drain was found passed out and smelling strongly of alcohol in the early hours Wednesday morning in the 1500 block of McKnight Street.
While searching the unconscious man for identification, officers found a .25 caliber handgun in his possession. When Drain came to, he told police several times he was a Black Disciple gang member.
Drain said in a later interview with officers that he did not know where the handgun came from.
He remains in the Knox County jail on $100,000 bond awaiting a Dec. 14 bond reduction and preliminary hearing.
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