Authorities say a convicted felon claimed he was “preparing for the Armageddon” after he was found with 18 guns, drugs and 8,500 rounds of ammunition at his home in Winthrop Harbor.
Officers with the Winthrop Harbor Police Department around 10 p.m. Sunday observed numerous cannabis plants being cultivated in a residential backyard in the 900 block of Fulton Avenue.
Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Michael Theis said officers spotted a loose dog at a gas station and followed it to a home nearby where they observed the cannabis plants after smelling an overwhelming odor of fresh cannabis.
A search warrant was obtained for the property and served around 4 p.m. Monday.
Theis said police recovered 23 cannabis plants, 614.8 grams of cannabis, 22 grams of psilocybin and 223 Xanax pills.
They also recovered 16 high-powered rifles and shotguns, which included five AR-style rifles without serial numbers that are commonly known as ghost guns, along with two handguns, three gun suppressors and approximately 8,500 rounds of ammunition.
Garry L. Turpin, 68, who is a long-term renter of the home, was taken into custody.
Turpin admitted to growing and selling the cannabis, Theis said. He claimed the pills were for personal use.
Turpin also admitted to firing one of the guns, which had a homemade suppressor on it, to kill a raccoon in the attic of the home while other tenants were inside the residence several months ago, Theis said.
Turpin is a convicted felon and is not allowed to possess firearms.
Theis said Turpin additionally told officers that he was “preparing for the Armageddon.”
The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office approved dozens of charges, including felon in possession of a firearm, possession with intent to deliver cannabis, unlawful possession of a firearm while ineligible, possession of sativa plants, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of a device with the intent to silence a weapon and serialization of unfinished frames or receivers.
Turpin was transported to First Appearance Court Tuesday morning and Lake County Judge James Simonian denied his pre-trial release pending a detention hearing, which was scheduled for Thursday afternoon.
“Even though no place is immune to crime, teamwork with neighbors and police can make a difference to minimize it. Please do your part and report any suspicious activity to the police. These reports can be anonymous. For emergencies, please dial 911,” the Winthrop Harbor Police Department said following the bust.