EDWARDSVILLE – Two local police departments have charged East St. Louis and Missouri residents with unlawful weapon possession and other offenses.
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Saphone O. Redden, 28, of Black Jack, Mo., was charged on June 2, 2026 with one count each of aggravated unlawful possession of weapons (a Class 4 felony) and unlawful possession of cannabis (a Class A misdemeanor).
Redden allegedly carried a Springfield 9mm handgun in a motor vehicle on Feb. 9, 2026 while engaged in a violation of the Cannabis Control Act. On the same date, Redden was reportedly in possession of over 30 grams of cannabis other than as authorized under the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act.
The Edwarsdville Police Department presented the case against Redden, who was ordered release from custody pending trial.
In a separate Madison County case, 41-year-old Laepheal R. Ervin of East St. Louis faces a Class 4 felony count of aggravated unlawful possession of weapons and a Class A misdemeanor count of resisting a peace officer.
Ervin is accused of knowingly carrying a 9mm Smith & Wesson SD9 handgun in a vehicle which was uncased, loaded, and immediately accessible at the time of the offense on May 12, 2026. Ervin also reportedly had no valid license under the Concealed Carry Act and resisted being detained by a Glen Carbon Police officer.
Ervin was also ordered released from custody pending trial in the case presented by the Glen Carbon Police Department.
All individuals charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
