Goreville man arrested after firearm recovered during Marion traffic stop

FOX23 News at 9 p.m

MARION, Ill. (KBSI) — A Goreville man was arrested after Marion police recovered a firearm during a traffic stop earlier this week.

Officers with the Marion Police Department stopped a vehicle March 2 in the 900 block of East Boyton Street after observing traffic violations, including a seat belt violation and an equipment issue.

During the stop, officers reported observing suspicious behavior and received consent to search the vehicle. Police said a .22-caliber semi-automatic pistol was found concealed under the dashboard in the center console area.

Investigators later recovered additional ammunition from a related location in Johnson County with assistance from the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office.

Martin Powell, 34, of Goreville, was arrested and charged with aggravated unlawful possession of a firearm, a felony under Illinois law. He was taken to the Williamson County Jail. Police also issued a separate citation for the seat belt violation.

Officials said the driver of the vehicle was cooperative and was not charged in connection with the firearm.

The investigation remains ongoing, including coordination with federal authorities to trace the firearm, police said.