Cops stop man for rolling joint on Red Line, find pistol in his pocket: allegations

Kenneth Stapleton, a 43-year-old Chicago man, found himself in hot water after Cook County Sheriff’s Police discovered him rolling a joint on the Red Line and then uncovered a loaded pistol in his jacket. The incident occurred around 2:35 p.m. on May 31 at the 69th Street station.

Deputies were conducting a routine patrol on a train car when they noticed Stapleton rolling what appeared to be a cigar filled with a green leafy substance. Upon further investigation, they detained Stapleton for violating CTA rules. A records check revealed an active warrant related to a forgery case. During a search, deputies found a loaded firearm in his jacket. It was also revealed that Stapleton did not possess a Firearm Owner’s Identification card or a concealed carry license. As a result, prosecutors approved a charge of aggravated unlawful possession of a weapon later that day.

Despite the state’s request to keep Stapleton detained pending trial, Judge Luciano Panici, Jr. decided to place him on an ankle monitor instead, as per court records.

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