Three individuals have been arrested and charged following a series of search warrants related to a recent burglary in Mt. Vernon, according to a release from the Mt. Vernon Police Department.
The investigation began with the arrest of 24-year-old David Porter of Belle Rive, who was taken into custody after officers executed a search warrant on January 2. Porter faces multiple charges, including Residential Burglary, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Repeat Felony Offender, Possession of a Stolen Firearm, and Defacing Identification Marks on a Firearm. Authorities also noted that a parole warrant from the Illinois Department of Corrections had been issued for Porter earlier in the week.
Continuing their investigation, police obtained and executed three additional search warrants in the Mt. Vernon and Jefferson County areas. The first, conducted in the 1700 block of Harlan Road, resulted in the arrest of a juvenile on an unrelated warrant. During the search, officers discovered firearms and ammunition at the residence. There, 22-year-old Riley M. Scott of Mt. Vernon was also taken into custody and charged with Obstructing Justice, but has since been released in accordance with the SAFE-T Act.
A second search warrant was executed in the 1000 block of Abbott Lane in southeastern Jefferson County, where 20-year-old Ray C. Garrison of Belle Rive was arrested. Garrison faces charges of Defacing Identification Marks on a Firearm, Armed Violence, Methamphetamine Possession, and Possession of a Stolen Firearm.
The third search warrant, executed in the 300 block of Gum Street in Belle Rive, led to the arrest of 18-year-old Gavin A. Bradford of Belle Rive. Bradford has been charged with Obstructing Justice and Residential Burglary.
Police say additional stolen property was recovered as a result of the search warrants, and the joint investigation remains ongoing. Authorities encourage anyone with information related to the case to contact the Mt. Vernon Police Department.