Man, 19, Faces Gun Charges After Driver, Passenger Switch Seats In Traffic Stop: Manhattan PD

MANHATTAN, IL — A Park Forest man faces gun charges after a traffic stop in Manhattan, according to police reports.

On June 28, Manhattan police stopped a black Dodge seen going 50 mph in a 30 mph zone at East North and Park, police said. After curbing the car, police witnessed the driver and passenger attempting to switch seats. The original driver—identified as Jeremiah Miller-Whittler, 19—consented to a search of his vehicle, and police found open cannabis inside, according to reports.

The passenger, identified as Joshua Porter, 19, was found with a firearm with a defaced serial number in his waistband, police said. He was arrested and charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, no FOID/CCL card, and ws released with a notice to appear at Will County Courthouse on July 30.

Miller-Whittler was issued citations for unlawful possession of cannabis, no seatbelt, and driver's license not on person.