Published: November 22, 2008 01:18 am         

Man jailed on weapons charges

A 24-year-old Elkhart man allegedly speeding in a school zone was arrested on a pair of weapons charges Thursday morning.

Hunter Cole Sheridan, 24, of Elkhart was arrested on charges of unlawfully carrying a weapon and prohibited weapon around 8 a.m. Thursday after an Anderson County officer had pulled him over for allegedly speeding in a school zone, according to Troy Black, chief deputy for the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office.

Black said authorities recovered a .223 caliber assault rifle; a 9 mm semi-automatic pistol; 40 rounds of .223 caliber ammunition; 26 rounds of 9 mm ammunition; a switchblade knife; a double-edged sheath knife; a set of brass knuckles; and a small amount of marijuana residue from Sheridan’s vehicle.

Both the assault rifle and semi-automatic pistol were loaded, according to the chief deputy.

Black said sheriff’s Sgt. Brian Chason was traveling east on Loop 256 near Palestine High School in a 30 mile per hour school zone around 8 a.m. Thursday when he observed a 2002 Chevrolet Malibu exceeding the posted speed limit.

“He (Chason) observed the driver to be Hunter Cole Sheridan who is known to him,” Black said.

Believing that Sheridan did not have a valid driver’s license, Chason contacted Anderson County sheriff’s dispatch which confirmed his suspicion.

Chason ultimately activated his overhead lights and initiated a traffic stop in the 4000 block of U.S. 84, according to Black.

The sergeant made contact with Sheridan, who was the vehicle’s lone occupant, and “immediately detected the odor of marijuana,” according to Black.

Sheridan complied with Chason’s instructions to step out of the vehicle, and the sergeant immediately “observed the (9 mm) pistol in plain view in the map pocket on the driver’s side door,” according to Black.

The sergeant then asked the suspect if there were any additional weapons, drugs or alcohol in the vehicle.

“He (Sheridan) advised there was a rifle in the back seat, but denied any illegal substances,” Black stated.

Chason then obtained consent from Sheridan to search his vehicle, according to Black.

A plastic bag containing the two knives was discovered in the back seat next to the rifle, while “loose ammunition” was also found in the same area of the vehicle, according to the chief deputy.

A “smashed cigarette box” containing marijuana residue and wrapping papers was located in the vehicle’s middle console, Black added.

Sheridan was also charged with the Class C misdemeanor offenses of no valid driver’s license and failure to display driver’s license, according to the chief deputy.

As of late Friday morning, bonds had not been set in relation to the charges against Sheridan, according to the chief deputy.

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Paul Stone may be contacted via e-mail at pstone@palestineherald.com

     

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