Two men are in custody in the Knox County Jail after a months long investigation into the sale of large quantities of illegal narcotics in Knox County and the Midwest region.
The Knox County Sheriff’s Office recently conducted a search warrant at 227 Duffield Ave. in Galesburg. During the course of the search warrant, contact was made with 48-year-old resident Michael Villarreal. Inside the residence, suspected methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, and firearm ammunition were located.
Villarreal was taken into custody and transported to Knox County Jail without incident. Villarreal was charged with:
- Possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver 15 – 100 grams
- Possession of firearm ammunition by felon
- Possession of drug paraphernalia
Further investigation identified an additional suspect as 53-year-old Casey McGee. Contact was attempted with McGee near the area of 227 Duffield Ave., which resulted in McGee fleeing in a vehicle at a high rate of speed.
McGee’s vehicle left the road way in the area of Water and Seminary street, and continued to travel westbound along the railroad tracks. McGee’s vehicle received disabling damage, which resulted in McGee fleeing on foot.
A short time later, McGee was apprehended by Knox County Sheriff’s Deputies in the 400 block of East Losey Street.
In the early morning hours of Friday, a search warrant was executed at McGee’s residence located at 442 E. Losey St. During the search, approximately 4.6 pounds of suspected methamphetamines, 3.8 pounds of cannabis, multiple firearms and ammunition, and US currency were seized.
McGee was transported to Knox County Jail without incident and charged with:
- Unlawful possession of firearm by felon
- Armed violence
- Possession of stolen firearm
- Possession of ammunition by felon
- Possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver 900 grams or more
- Possession of cannabis with intent to deliver 900 grams or more Leaving the scene of an accident with vehicle damage
Later Friday, Knox County States Attorney’s Office filed petitions to detain both McGee and Villarreal. Probable cause was found and the petitions to detain both were granted by the presiding judge.
McGee is scheduled for a preliminary hearing at 2 p.m. Nov. 13. Villarreal is scheduled for a preliminary hearing at 2 p.m. Nov. 8.
The Knox County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by Monmouth Police Department, Galesburg Police Department, the FBI TOC West Drug Task Force, and the Knox County States Attorney’s Office.
The Knox County Sheriff’s Office says the investigation is ongoing with future arrests likely.