MARION, Ill. -- A man was taken to jail where he faces multiple drug charges and resisting arrest.
The Williamson County Sheriff's Office (WCSO) said at 1:44 a.m. on October 14, Sheriff Jeff Diederich and a deputy were in the area of 903 W. Cherry Street in Marion in an unmarked WCSO patrol vehicle.
At this time, there were two individuals standing in an outside stairwell at the Zion United Church of Christ.
Sheriff Diederich and a deputy then got out of their patrol vehicle and went up to the individuals. One of the individuals was Sean M. Simmons. There was also a bike nearby with multiple bags which authorities said he claimed were his.
The sheriff's office said Simmons earlier stated he was there at the church seeking shelter for the night. "Simmons also stated he had been checking the door handles on the building," Diederich said in a news release.
An investigation led to a search of his belongings which resulted in finding used hypodermic syringes and other drug paraphernalia containing methamphetamine, WCSO said.
The sheriff's office said Simmons was told he was under arrest but initially refused to place his hands behind his back. Shortly thereafter, Simmons was placed in handcuffs.
Deputies were continuing to search his belongings at the time. Sheriff Diederich saw Simmons allegedly toss an item into the grass behind him. The item was later recovered and found to be a glass smoking device, which had some crystal-like residue on it which later field tested positive for methamphetamine, the sheriff's office said.
As they were taking Simmons to the patrol vehicle, the WCSO said he stopped walking and tried to back away from deputies. At this time, the sheriff's office said Simmons was trying to open a white piece of paper he had in his hands, which authorities suspected it had some illegal narcotics in it.
Deputies tried to take the paper from Simmons, but he pulled away.
"At that time, a deputy wrapped his arms around Simmons, drove him into the grass area, and assisted him to the ground," the sheriff's office said in the release. "Simmons rolled to his back and refused to roll over to his stomach."
Authorities shortly later found the paper and they said it had 1.45 grams of methamphetamine in it.
Simmons faces charges of possession of methamphetamine, resisting a peace officer and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Simmons was then taken to the Williamson County Jail.
