Drew Peterson faces gun charge in Bolingbrook
Drew Peterson was arrested today on a felony weapons charge related to the seizure of 11 guns from his Bolingbrook home last November.
Peterson, who is a suspect in the disappearance of his fourth wife Stacy, turned himself in at the Bolingbrook Police station today after he was picked up at home by his attorney, Joel Brodsky, around 12:35 p.m.
(Courtesy/STNG)
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Peterson faces gun charge
Peterson is charged with knowingly possessing "a rifle, namely a Colt model Sporter Lightweight, 223 Remington rifle" with a barrel less than 16 inches in length, in violation of state law.
But Brodsky disputed the charges, saying Peterson was allowed to have the gun in his possession because he was a member of the Bolingbrook Police Department's SWAT team at the time the gun was seized.
Brodsky also questioned the timing of the arrest, noting that police have had the guns in question since Nov. 1 of last year. He said the arrest probably has more to do with a court hearing scheduled for Thursday in which the judge could order the weapons be returned to Peterson's son, Stephen.
"I find the circumstances very suspicious," he said.
Peterson was taken to the Will County Jail in Joliet to be processed. He arrived in an unmarked squad car around 1:30 p.m., and was smiling and joking with reporters.
Asked his thoughts on the arrest, Peterson smiled and said, "It's the usual."
Brodsky expects his client to post bail and be released later today.
Peterson, a retired Bolingbrook police sergeant, has not been charged in his wife's disappearance more than six months ago.