Man on pre-trial release arrested

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, IL (KBSI) – A man on pre-trial release has been arrested for possession of a stolen gun, possession of drugs, and more.

On April 25th, in an unmarked patrol car, Williamson County Sheriff’s Office deputies were at the intersection of 18th Street and Stotlar Street in Herrin. There, they saw a man and a woman exit the sidewalk and walk on the east side of 18th Street just North of Ash Street. They were later identified as James Inchcliff and Chelsea Phillips. Both Inchcliff and Phillips were seen by deputies as they left a home known to law enforcement to be involved in the distribution of illicit drugs.

Both Philips and Inchcliff began walking in the middle of the road and traveled west on Ash Street.

Deputies knew Phillips and said that she had an active warrant for her arrest out of Williamson County, she was taken into custody.

The deputies also knew Inchcliff and continued to watch him as he walked south on 18th Street, still in the middle of the road. Deputies knew Inchcliff from a prior contact that included a recent arrest in early April for possessing a stolen car and illicit drugs. Deputies also knew Inchcliff to be a convicted felon who had a history of possessing firearms.

A deputy approached him and asked him to face away as he conducted a pat down of his person to make sure he didn’t have a weapon.

Instead, Inchcliff turned to them, opened his right coat pocket, and informed them: “All I have is this in here.”

When the deputy asked what it was replied “A pip,” Which is a slang term for a glass smoking device used to smoke Methamphetamine.

As the deputy placed his hand into Inchcliff’s pocket to get the smoking device, he reached to his right side while he was moving away from the deputy. The deputy kept a hold of his left arm and then observed a handgun in his right hand.

The deputy drew his gun from the holster and as he did so, Inchcliff threw the gun behind him and onto the ground. The deputy then pinned him to the hood of his patrol vehicle.

A loaded gun along with an additional loaded magazine was found on Inchcliff’s person. The glass smoking pipe with two used hypodermic syringes with residue testing positive for methamphetamines’ was also found.

Both Inchcliff and Phillips were transported and taken to the custody of the Williamson County Jail.