JEFFERSON COUNTY — Sheriff Travis Allen is praising his deputies, after they arrested an 18-year-old Mt. Vernon man early Tuesday morning for alleged possession of suspected crack cocaine.

According to deputy reports, at approximately 7:30 Tuesday morning, Jefferson County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to an address on Illinois Highway 142 in the Belle Rive area in reference to an individual driving an older model primer colored car and walking around people’s homes.

Upon arrival Deputies made contact with Lamar Williams. Williams was taken into custody for alleged no valid driver’s license. During a subsequent search, deputies reportedly located drug equipment and several suspected “crack rocks” which tested positive for cocaine.

Williams remains in the Jefferson County Jail awaiting the formal filing of charges and the setting of bail.

Allen says he is very proud of his deputies for getting what he says is a drug dealer off of the streets and behind bars. He notes crack cocaine is a very dangerous drug and now it is in evidence and out of the hands of young citizens.