MARION COUNTY — A 30-year-old Mt. Vernon man was sentenced today in Marion County Court to four years in prison after he pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, in exchange for other charges against him being dismissed.
(Source: CPD)
Princeton Tarran Turner was arrested in February and charged with Class 3 felony possession of a firearm by a felon, Class 2 felony possession of a stolen firearm, Class 2 felony possession of narcotics and misdemeanor manufacture with the intent to deliver between 5-10 grams of cannabis.
According to police, Turner had stopped to talk to an Illinois State Police K-9 unit in the 600 block of North Walnut Street on an unrelated matter.
When officers reportedly noted the smell of cannabis coming from Turner’s vehicle, he allegedly admitted to having just smoked, but denied officers permission to search the vehicle.
Just as officers were preparing to do a walk around check of the vehicle with the K-9, Turner reportedly ran back to the car and refused to exit. Despite Turner’s efforts to hold the door closed, officers were able to pull him from the vehicle, get him to the ground and in handcuffs.
A search of Turner reportedly revealed a large baggie containing several smaller baggies of cannabis, and resulted in Turner reportedly admitting to “a lot” more in the vehicle, including a gun in the glove box. When the K-9 alerted on the vehicle, officers conducted a search and recovered a .38 revolver in the center console, eight pills that field tested positive for heroin, and over $2,000 in cash.
The handgun, a 38 Detective Special was ultimately determined to have been stolen from Herrin. A special compartment discovered in the front dashboard of the car was empty.
According to police, Turner told them the drugs were for personal use and he denied knowledge of the secret compartment. He told officers he purchased the gun from an individual in Carbondale to use for protection and wasn’t aware it was stolen.
Turner has remained in the Marion County Jail since his arrest, with bail set at $100,000. His prison sentence was stayed, and he was furloughed until May 14, at which time he must return to the Marion County Jail for transport to the Department of Corrections.