Bloomington man arrested on gun charges

Camareon E Anderson, 21, is charged with one count of unlawful possession of a firearm and one count of possession of firearm ammunition by a felon, Class 2 felonies , violation of the Illinois Firearm Owner's Identification Card Act, a Class 3 felony, and obstructing a peace officer, a Class A misdemeanor.

Authorities said Anderson refused to appear in court Tuesday afternoon before Judge Amy McFarland. Anderson was represented by Deputy Public Defender Mackenzie Frizzell, who told McFarland she had had the opportunity to speak with her client and believed the case could move forward with the initial appearance hearing.

In the probable cause statement, Assistant State's Attorney David Rossi said normal police officers were called around 8:15 p.m. Sunday to Orlando Avenue where a witness reported they were approached and threatened by two men before to call the police.

Once police arrived on scene, the men fled the scene on foot, Rossi said. One of the men was identified as Anderson. The second suspect has not yet been apprehended.

Rossi said the police report indicated a loaded gun fell from the waistband of Anderson's pants as he ran.

The prosecutor said Anderson was not legally allowed to possess a firearm because of his status as a convicted felon. Anderson was on mandatory probation at the time of the incident, for a 2021 felony case in which he had been released from the Illinois Department of Corrections in December.

Rossi argued for detaining Anderson on the basis of his dangerousness, calling the incident an “attempted armed robbery.”

Frizzell argued that this was simply an allegation and that there was no evidence of an attempted theft.

McFarland ordered Anderson detained and said he posed a danger.

McFarland said she considered the nature and circumstances of this particular case when making her decision, as well as the defendant's background, which she said was indicative of violent and abusive behavior .

“The defendant was on mandatory probation, which is an important factor because it comes down to whether a defendant can or will comply with a release order.” McFarland said.

Anderson is scheduled to be arraigned June 7 at 9 a.m.