Antioch traffic stop leads to heroin bust

An Antioch man was charged with unlawful delivery of a controlled substance after a traffic stop, authorities said.

Leon A. Henry, 21, of the 200 block of Anita Avenue, also faces a charge of unlawful possession of a controlled substance following his arrest at 5:44 p.m. Sunday at Depot Street and Burnette Drive, police Chief Craig Somerville said.

The red Dodge Charger driven by Henry was stopped by police for speeding and expired registration. After the traffic stop was completed and as the officer was completing paperwork, he noticed Henry was behaving suspiciously and lingering in the area, Somerville said.

After Henry drove away, the officer searched the grassy area where Henry's vehicle had been stopped and discovered a large plastic bag containing a substance that looked suspicious, Somerville said.

In the bag were 25 individually wrapped plastic bags containing 16.78 grams of a substance that tested positive for heroin, Somerville said. The street value of the drugs seized is about $3,600.

Officers conducted surveillance of the area in an unmarked squad car and observed Henry return a short time later, Somerville said. He was arrested and charged.

In addition to the heroin, police said, officers seized the Dodge Charger and $750 in cash.

“In this case, greed overrode common sense,” Somerville said.

If found guilty of the most serious charge, Henry could spend 15 years in prison.

Henry was taken to Lake County jail and is held in lieu of $200,000 bail. He is due back in court Oct. 10.