A Waukegan man, who is a convicted felon, was arrested after sheriff’s deputies found him in possession of a defaced gun and cocaine during a traffic stop in Beach Park.
Lee E. Thomas, 36, of Waukegan, was charged with aggravated unlawful possession of a firearm, possession of crack cocaine and possession of a defaced firearm.
Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Eduardo Zermeno said Lake County sheriff’s deputies conducted a traffic stop around 11 a.m. on April 1 at Lewis Avenue and Wadsworth Road in Beach Park.
Deputies stopped the vehicle because it was speeding and not maintaining proper lane usage.
Thomas was the driver and admitted to having drugs in his possession when deputies asked him if he had anything illegal in the car, Zermeno said.
The substance was rock-like and tested positive for cocaine.
Zermeno said that Thomas also told deputies he had a crack pipe and gun under his seat.
He and the passenger were ordered out of the car and Thomas was detained while officers searched the vehicle.
Deputies found a gun, which had a defaced serial number, under the seat and a magazine in the backseat, Zermeno said.
Thomas is a convicted felon and does not have a Firearm Owners Identification card or concealed carry license, Zermeno said.
Lake County Judge Georga Pappas ordered Thomas held on a $150,000 bond.
Thomas has since been released from the Lake County Jail after posting bond.
A status of attorney hearing is scheduled for May 2.