Loaded weapons, man wearing body armor discovered after traffic stop, Swansea police say

Authorities have charged a 44-year-old man after an officer discovered he was wearing body armor and in possession of five loaded weapons during a weekend traffic stop, according to a news release from the Swansea Police Department.

Joel M. De Jesus-Diaz, whose address was not listed, is being held in the St. Clair County Jail pending a detention hearing, the release states.

The St. Clair County District Attorney’s Office charged De Jesus-Diaz with five counts of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon with body armor and one count of unlawful use of a firearm projectile, according to the release. All six charges are felonies.

The arrest followed a traffic stop conducted by Swansea Officer Matt Lindley on Saturday, the release states. Lindley found five loaded guns, one unloaded gun, “multiple loaded high-capacity magazines, loose ammunition and a small amount of cannibis,” according to the release.

Detective Sgt. Gary Reuter said no other details were being released at this time because it is an active investigation.

This story was originally published March 19, 2024 at 2:32 PM.