CHAMPAIGN, Illinois – A Champaign man was arrested for multiple offenses including armed violence and unlawful use of a firearm after he was pulled over by a University of Illinois Police officer Monday in an area just off campus.
At 4:50 p.m., the officer conducted a routine license plate check that showed the registered owner, Sabir R. Muhammad, 23, had a suspended license and a revoked Firearm Owner’s Identification. After confirming Muhammad was in fact driving the vehicle at that moment, the officer initiated the traffic stop near Fifth Street and Springfield Avenue, Champaign.
The officer questioned Muhammad about a strong odor of cannabis coming from the vehicle, and Muhammad told police that he had smoked about 2 ½ hours prior to the traffic stop.
Police searched the vehicle to find the source of the smell and located a backpack in the backseat. Inside the backpack, police found about 154 grams of cannabis and a loaded handgun. Under state law, having a firearm in the vicinity of illicit narcotics elevates the seriousness of the offense.
Officers also found assorted firearm accessories like extra magazines and a laser sight, as well as materials typically used in the packaging of drugs.
Muhammad was arrested for armed violence, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, possession of cannabis with intent to deliver, possession of a revoked FOID card, and driving with a suspended license. He was taken to the Champaign County Jail and was issued a notice of no-trespassing for all U. of I. property, which means he can be arrested if he returns to campus property.
Please note: Those arrested are presumed innocent until proved guilty, and formal charges may change as cases are adjudicated. For more information about the incidents listed here, please contact the U. of I. Police Department at 217-333-1216 or police@illinois.edu.
