Bloomington teenager and man face separate gun charges in McLean County

Posted on October 14, 2022
police car
Police report the investigation in both cases are ongoing. (Photo courtesy: WJBC/File)

By Blake Haas

BLOOMINGTON – A teenager and a Bloomington man face separate gun charges in McLean county.

On Tuesday, Bloomington Police stopped a 15-year-old boy for a traffic stop.

During the stop, police searched the vehicle and allegedly found a pistol with no serial number, also called a ghost gun.

According to a news release, the boy was charged with unlawful weapon use and illegally possessing firearm ammunition.

He remains in the McLean County juvenile detention facility.

On Wednesday, BPD’s street crimes unit searched a Bloomington residence, where they allegedly found 670 grams of cannabis and a gun.

McLean County prosecutors charged Derrick Blakely, 27, of Bloomington, with unlawful use of a weapon, possession of cannabis over 500 grams, and illegal possession of ammunition.

As of Friday afternoon, Blakely remained in the McLean County jail.

There is no bond information available for Blakely and the 15-year-old boy.

Blake Haas can be reached at [email protected].

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…