MARION – Two men were arrested following a chase with law enforcement through southeast Williamson County Saturday night.
According to the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office, Aaron M. Trover was arrested and cited for Methamphetamine Possession less than 5 grams, Manufacture/Deliver Cannabis greater than 5,000 grams (Class X Felony), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Aggravated Fleeing or Attempting to Elude a Peace Officer, Reckless Driving, Aggravated Assault (x2), Speeding (100/50), Disobeying Stop Sign (x7), Expired Registration, and Operation of Uninsured Vehicle.
Anthony J. Futia was arrested and cited for Methamphetamine Possession less than 5 grams
Deputies transported Trover and Futia to and remanded them into the custody of the Williamson County Jail.
The Williamson County Sheriff’s Office will serve Notice of Asset Forfeiture on the suspects and intends to seize a handheld forward-looking infrared (FLIR) device, a drone, and United States currency which were used in furtherance of or are the proceeds of the drug trade.
The sheriff’s office says around 9:10 Saturday night, deputies saw an individual known to have an outstanding arrest warrant on the parking lot of Huck’s Convenience Store in the 700 block of East DeYoung Street in Marion.
Deputies approached the suspect, identified as Trover, who immediately fled in his vehicle leading deputies on the chase. Trover is wanted by the U.S. Marshal’s Service on a Federal Warrant for Amphetamine Manufacturing.
During the pursuit, Trover rammed a patrol vehicle in an attempt to push it off the roadway. Trover made multiple other attempts to ram or cause other patrol vehicles to crash. Trover’s criminal actions posed a severe threat to the safety of the residents of Williamson County and to the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office deputies involved in the incident.
A precision immobilization technique (PIT maneuver) was authorized and successfully executed by pursuing Deputies resulting in the suspect’s vehicle coming to rest in the area of Illinois Route 166 and Boundary Road near Creal Springs.
Trover and a passenger, identified as Futia, were taken into custody and lodged in the Williamson County Jail.
A search and inventory of the vehicle revealed that it contained the equipment of an elaborate mobile drug manufacturing operation which included harvesting, pumps, cooktops, filtration, packaging, and other related equipment.
Deputies seized approximately 42,700 grams of THC substances including trash bags and pressure sealed bags of raw cannabis and multiple 5 gallon containers of processed THC Oil Concentrate.
Sheriff Jeff Diederick says the apprehension of Trover represents a month long collaboration of multiple local agencies working together with our federal law enforcement partners to ensure public safety.
The Williamson County Sheriff’s Office Would like to thank the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, Williamson County State’s Attorney Ted Hampson, Illinois State Police, and the United States Marshal’s Service for their assistance.