MT. VERNON, IL — A 28-year-old Mt. Vernon man was charged Friday in Jefferson County Circuit Court with being an armed habitual criminal. William Johnson was arrested Thursday by the Mt. Vernon Police Department for being a felon in possession of a weapon & resisting/obstructing an officer.

According to Mt. Vernon Police Chief Trent Page, Johnson was a passenger in a vehicle that was stopped just before 2 a.m. Thursday near 10th and Lamar. During the stop, Johnson reportedly fled on foot from the vehicle but was apprehended after a brief pursuit with officers. Page says when officers searched Johnson, he was found to be in possession of a firearm. Johnson was then charged Friday with Class X felony being an armed habitual criminal a charge punishable by between 6 and 30 years in prison if convicted.

An arraignment in the case is scheduled for February 17.