WAMAC, IL — A 37-year-old former Salem man charged in Clinton County Court in connection with shots allegedly fired at a Wamac police officer has been indicted in federal court on weapons charges. Ian Merideth is being held in the Clinton County Jail on $800,000 bond on three Class X felonies for attempted murder, and aggravated discharge of a firearm at a police officer, and aggravated battery of a police officer, along with Class 2 felony being a felon in possession of a firearm with a prior conviction.

Last week a federal grand jury indicted Merideth on charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession of stolen firearms. According to Wamac Police Chief Steve Prather, the officer noticed Merideth walking in the area and knowing he had a Marion County warrant for his arrest and stopped him. Prather says Merideth told the officer he had a gun on him but before the officer could secure the weapon and cuff him, Merideth fled on foot.

In the 300 block of West 15th, the officer reported the subject turned with his gun out and fired four rounds at the officer. The federal indictment claims Merideth had seven weapons that were allegedly shipped and transported in interstate commerce, knowing and having reasonable cause to believe the firearms were stolen. It also charges that Merideth was a felon in possession of a firearm and possessed a .357 revolver and six cartridges with a previous conviction of arson in Clay County Court. US Prosecutors are also seeking to forfeit all seven of the weapons and ammunition involved or used in the alleged commission of the offense.

Meredith was last in Clinton County Court on August 4th when he pleaded not guilty and demanded a jury trial.  A pretrial conference is currently scheduled for September first.