A Missouri man is facing seven felony charges after being stopped by police in Illinois while driving with loaded weapons and wearing body armor. The incident occurred in Swansea, Illinois, where Joel De Jesus-Diaz was pulled over in a vehicle containing multiple loaded high-capacity magazines, loose ammunition, and a small amount of cannabis.
According to St. Clair County court records, De Jesus-Diaz faces six counts of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon with body armor and one count of unlawful use of a firearm projectile. He is currently being held in jail without bond.
The discovery of the weapons and body armor during a routine traffic stop has raised concerns, especially in light of recent mass shootings across the country. The weapons found in De Jesus-Diaz's vehicle included an AK-style rifle, two short rifles, and three semi-automatic pistols.
Swansea Police Chief Matt Blomberg expressed his concern over the caliber of weapons and the amount of ammunition found in the vehicle. De Jesus-Diaz was found to not have a valid Firearm Owner’s Identification Card at the time of the incident.
The arrest took place just hours before a St. Patrick’s Day parade and block party in neighboring Belleville, although police have not confirmed any connection between the arrest and the event. The motive behind De Jesus-Diaz's actions remains unclear.
As the investigation continues, authorities are working to determine the full extent of the situation and any potential threats that may have been posed by De Jesus-Diaz's possession of the weapons and body armor.
