Murphysboro man arrested in Carbondale traffic stop; stolen firearm found

KBSI FOX23 News at 9 p.m.

CARBONDALE, Ill., (KBSI) — A Murphysboro man was arrested late Thursday after Carbondale police say he was found with a stolen firearm and cannabis during a traffic stop.

Officers pulled over a vehicle around 10:55 p.m. Sept. 4 in the 500 block of North Carico Street for a moving violation, police said. The driver, identified as Kerwin J.C. Watson Jr., 23, was discovered to have a suspended license and taken into custody.

During the investigation, officers located a firearm later determined to be stolen and an illegal quantity of suspected cannabis, according to police.

Watson was charged with aggravated unlawful possession of a firearm, possession of a stolen firearm, possession of cannabis, and driving while license suspended. He was taken to the Jackson County Jail pending a detention hearing.

The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Carbondale Police Department at 618-549-2121, the Carbondale/SIU Crime Stoppers anonymous tip line at 618-549-COPS (2677), or the Murphysboro/Jackson County tip line at 618-687-COPS (2677). Anonymous tips may also be submitted online through the “Crime Stoppers” tab on the department’s website.