MT. VERNON, IL — Bond was set Friday at $200,000 for a 32-year-old Mt. Vernon man charged in Jefferson County Court with drug and weapons charges following the execution of a search warrant on his home by the High Risk Team. According to MVPD, Demario D. Bell was taken into custody around 6:30 a.m. Thursday on charges of Possession of a Stolen Firearm by a Felon, Armed Habitual Criminal, Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance, and Armed Violence.

Reports indicate during recent investigations into drug trafficking, the Mt Vernon Police Department / Jefferson County Joint Narcotics Unit developed information indicating illegal narcotics were being sold from a residence at 1013 South 7th in Mt Vernon. Detectives applied for and received a Jefferson County search warrant for the residence. During the search of the home, narcotics detectives reportedly located approximately 38 grams of crack cocaine, a loaded handgun and narcotics packaging materials. The handgun was determined to be stolen from Centralia. Bell was formally charged Friday in Jefferson County Court with armed violence, being an armed habitual criminal and delivery of between 15 and 100 grams of cocaine. All three charges are Class X felonies.

He’s next scheduled to appear on the charges November 23 for a preliminary hearing and a first appearance with his court-appointed attorney.