Tramir L. Duarte, 27, of Galesburg, is facing numerous felony drug charges following a traffic stop Jan. 20.
At 7:33 p.m., an officer stopped a red Toyota Camry rental car after it failed to signal properly for a turn at the intersection of Main and Arnold streets and before turning into Beck’s, 1581 E. Main St.
A probable cause search was then conducted due to visible cannabis in the center console and a strong smell of raw cannabis. According to a police report, numerous burnt roaches were found in the ashtray, cannabis shake was found throughout the center console and front floorboards, and a small jar containing cannabis shake was found on the front passenger-side floorboard. A baggie of large cannabis buds was found underneath the passenger seat.
Found inside a backpack on the passenger side of the vehicle were more than 300 pills of suspected ecstasy and a plastic cup containing “a large amount” of suspected cocaine residue.
Duarte was placed under arrest, and the vehicle was further searched. A loaded .40-caliber handgun was found under the driver’s seat.
According to the police report, Duarte willingly spoke to officers, admitting the weapon and ecstasy pills were his. He also told officers he was getting rid of the handgun and pills due to being stopped earlier in the day and another recent Illinois State Police stop in which five kilograms of cocaine and 50 pounds of cannabis were recovered. He stated the pills and gun were given to him by another individual and that he was supposed to sell the pills. He said despite having the ecstasy in his possession for about a year, he had not sold the pills.
Duarte was taken to the Knox County Jail and formally booked at 12:54 a.m. on the following charges:
● Unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon
● Possession of a dangerous weapon while committing a felony
● Manufacture/delivery of cannabis between 10-30 grams
● Aggravated unlawful use of a weapon
● Unlawful possession of a firearm
● Cannabis possession between 10-30 grams
● Unlawful possession of cannabis in a motor vehicle
● Possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver
● Possession of a controlled substance
● Possession of drug paraphernalia
● Obstruction of justice
On Jan. 22, Duarte was formally charged with Class X felony manufacture/delivery of ecstasy between 600-1,500 pills; manufacture/delivery of ecstasy between 200-600 pills; two counts of Class 1 felony possession of ecstasy between 600-1,500 pills; and Class 4 felony aggravated unlawful possession of a weapon.
He was denied pretrial release and remains in the Knox County Jail. His next scheduled court appearance is a preliminary hearing Feb. 10.
Note: An arrest or charge is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
