Weed Report Leads To Two Loaded Guns: EPD

EVANSTON, IL — Two men were arrested and charged with gun crimes after Evanston police saw them exit a vehicle that contained two loaded handguns Thursday, police said. Around 4:22 p.m., cops were called to the 2100 block of Dewey Avenue for a report of two people smoking weed in a car. When they arrived, police said two people got out and began to walk away.

Police "smelled the strong odor of cannabis" coming from the vehicle as they approached and detained both occupants, according to Evanston Police Cmdr. Joseph Dugan. Looking through the window of vehicle, police said they saw a marijuana cigar in the ashtray and the handle and hammer of a gun wedged between the center console and the passenger seat. (Get Patch real-time email alerts for the latest news for Evanston — or your community. And iPhone users: Check out Patch's new app.)

A loaded H & R .22 caliber revolver and a loaded Taurus .45 caliber semi-automatic handgun, along with two extra magazines, were also found in a further search of the vehicle, according to police. Police said a bag with slightly more than 3 grams of marijuana was also found in the vehicle. Both the driver and the passenger were arrested and charged with a felony and two misdemeanors related to the firearms.

Edward D. Carter, 25, of the 8500 block of Trumbull Avenue in Skokie, was allegedly the vehicle's driver.

Carter was charged with one felony count of unlawful use of a weapon by a felon and one misdemeanor count of possessing a handgun without a valid FOID card and one misdemeanor count of unlawful use of a weapon for not having a FOID card.

James W. Johnson, 27, of the 2000 block of Darrow Avenue in Evanston, was allegedly the passenger in the vehicle.

Johnson was charged with one felony count of being an armed habitual criminal, one misdemeanor count of unlawful use of a weapon for not having a valid FOID card and one misdemeanor count of possession of a handgun without a valid FOID card.

Top photo: Taurus .45 caliber semi-automatic handgun with two additional magazines and an H & R .22 caliber revolver Evanston police said they recovered Thursday | via Evanston PD