Illinois village leader arrested on drug, firearms charges

HEBRON, Ill. (AP) - The president of a northern Illinois village has been charged with drug and firearms offenses after police say they found cocaine, crack pipes and a shotgun at his home.

John G. Jacobson, 68, the top official in the small community of Hebron, was charged with felony unlawful possession of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, felony unlawful possession of a firearm without a firearm owner's identification card and unlawful possession of ammunition.

Officers came to his home March 17 after a friend called 911 to report Jacobson was not breathing. He was hospitalized and later released. While at his home, police say, officers saw drugs and drug paraphernalia in plain sight. They returned with a search warrant, and Jacobson was arrested Tuesday.

He posted bond and was released Tuesday night.

Jacobson did not respond to a voicemail and email seeking comment. Online court records do not list an attorney who might be able to comment on his behalf.

Jacobson also faced drug charges during his 2013 election campaign after police said they found crack cocaine in his vehicle during a traffic stop, The Northwest-Herald in Crystal Lake reported.

After his election, he pleaded guilty to a reduced charge and was sentenced to a year of probation as part of a deal with prosecutors, and he was able to remain in office, the newspaper reported.