Orland Police Traffic Stop Leads to FBI Weapons Charges: Police

ORLAND PARK, IL — An October traffic stop led Monday to federal drug and weapons charges for a Markham man, according to Orland Park police and the FBI.

Xavier Lawrence, 23, was arrested at his home on Monday, with the assistance of the Cook County Sheriff, police said. Lawrence was federally charged with possession with intent to deliver cocaine, possessing a weapon in furtherance of delivering cocaine and being a felon in possession of a weapon, police said. He was taken to the federal courthouse at 219 South Dearborn St. in Chicago, and is set for a bond hearing Wednesday.

The charges stem from an Oct. 9, 2020, arrest in the 7100 block of 159th Street, made by an Orland Park police officer. The officer conducted a traffic stop of a car for alleged traffic violations. After making contact with the driver, Lawrence, the officer said they saw cannabis in plain view.

According to police, the following items were found during a subsequent search of the car:

1. Black, Glock 22 – .40 Caliber firearm with mounted laser sight.
2. Black, Glock 19 – 9 mm firearm loaded with mounted laser sight.
3. 15.5 Grams of Suspected Cocaine
4. 36 pills of a Scheduled II controlled substance (Hydrocodone)
5. 43 Grams of suspected Cannabis
1. 2 Drum magazines loaded with ammunition

Lawrence was arrested and charged as an armed habitual criminal, having possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver and possession of a controlled substance, according to police.

Police said Lawrence was previously charged with possession of a firearm in 2016, and the case was referred to the FBI for possible federal charges. According to police, the FBI was able to obtain an indictment, leading to the arrest on the new charges Monday.

The Orland Park Police Department thanked the FBI for their partnership and "unwavering commitment to assist in the apprehension and charging violent offenders, when applicable, with federal charges."

All suspects are presumed to be innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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