A man who allegedly had a loaded handgun in his possession when stopped by Naperville police this week has been charged with being an armed habitual criminal, officials said.
Naperville police pulled over John Templeton, 47, of the 2700 block of St. Charles Road, Bellwood, on Wednesday for driving with expired license plates, a news release from the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office and Naperville Police Department said.
“During the course of the traffic stop, it is alleged that the officer found in the vehicle a loaded Glock 48 9mm handgun with one round in the chamber,” the release said.
The class X felony charge is based on Templeton’s criminal history, which includes two convictions for manufacture/delivery of a controlled substance, both class 2 felonies.
“The law is very clear on this. As a convicted felon, Mr. Templeton is forbidden from possessing a gun,” State’s Attorney Robert Berlin said in the release.
DuPage County Judge Mia McPherson set Templeton’s bail at $100,000. Templeton’s next court appearance is scheduled for July 27.
Should he be convicted, he could be sentenced to between six and 30 years in state prison, the release said.
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