Three Independence County residents were recently arrested after a search warrant uncovered a large amount of drugs, firearms, and cash.
According to court information, investigators with the 16th Judicial District Drug Task Force and the Independence County Sheriff’s Department executed the warrant after a months-long investigation related to alleged shipments of drugs from Colorado to the residence.
The court documents noted the residence, located on North Central near the Izard County line, is also near a church, which is considered a drug-free zone.
Upon executing the warrant, investigators discovered the occupants — identified as 40-year-old Thomas J. Young (pictured below, left), 45-year-old Michael E. Young Jr. (center), and 43-year-old April Lynn Rury (right) — and a large variety of drugs. According to the court info, over 1,500 grams of marijuana, over 2,000 grams of THC edibles, a little over 150g of psilocybin mushrooms, about 80 grams of methamphetamine, 18 grams of kratom, and a small number of oxycodone pills were located. Firearms, some loaded, were also found, along with packing materials and digital scales. Over $3,500 in cash was also discovered.
Thomas J. Young has been charged with eight felonies: possession of a controlled substance (meth) with the purpose to deliver; simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms; maintaining a drug premises within 1,000 feet of a certified drug-free zone; possession of a firearm by a certain person in the commission of another felony; possession of a controlled substance (marijuana) with the purpose to deliver; possession of a controlled substance (psilocybin mushrooms) with the purpose to deliver; possession of a controlled substance (kratom) with the purpose to deliver; and possession of a controlled substance (oxycodone) with the purpose to deliver. He is currently being held at the Independence County Jail on a $350,000 bond.
Michael E. Young Jr. and April Lynn Rury have been charged with six felonies: possession of a controlled substance (meth) with the purpose to deliver; simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms; maintaining a drug premises within 1,000 feet of a certified drug-free zone; possession of a firearm by a certain person in the commission of another felony; possession of a controlled substance (marijuana) with the purpose to deliver; and possession of a controlled substance (psilocybin mushrooms) with the purpose to deliver. Michael E. Young is also being charged as a habitual offender, having been previously convicted of four or more felonies. Both are being held at the Independence County Jail on bonds of $250,000 each.
The court documents said the case is still under investigation, and all three have criminal histories out of Illinois.
Images: Independence County Sheriff’s Department
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