Chicago Bears' defensive tackle Terrence "Tank" Johnson was arrested after police recovered six firearms and marijuana in his Gurnee home while executing a search warrant Thursday morning. Sources tell CBS 2 complaints from a neighbor in Gurnee prompted police to search the garbage from Johnson's home three times in recent weeks. The affidavit for a search warrant indicates they found marijuana residue, and the judge granted the request.
But neither the judge nor state's attorneys were told or realized that "Terry Johnson" was "Tank Johnson," the Bears starting tackle.
Johnson was not home when police arrived around 11 a.m. Thursday, apparently blasting their way into the home.
"They took like a long pole and from what I hear it sounds like it was a blast to the door to get in, and it shook my house and a neighbor's house, a picture fell off our wall, things like that," said neighbor Ashley Chamberlain.
Johnson, 25, was charged with six counts of unlawful possession of a firearm without a Firearm Owners Identification Card, according to a Gurnee police department press release. He was released Thursday evening after posting a $100 bond, according to the release, and is scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 9.
Johnson appeared outside his North Suburban home Thursday night, carrying his baby daughter to a waiting limousine. As he kissed her good-bye, his girlfriend, who was home as the time of the search, ducked into the limo and both she and the child were driven away.
Johnson declined to speak with reporters, and went back inside.
But his coach expressed serious concern.
"My players do the right thing the majority of the time, but sometimes things like this come up. I'm going to wait to see exactly what the charges are before I can talk anymore on it," Bears Coach Lovie Smith said.
"It definitely is a concern because Tank has had to deal with some things like this in the past. Yes, it definitely is a concern," Smith said, adding that it was also a distraction for the playoff-bound team.
Johnson's roommate, 26-year-old Willie B. Posey was also arrested; he was charged with one count of marijuana possession. CBS 2 learned Thursday night that a Willie Posey, same age, same spelling, was recently released from an Illinois state prison after serving five years for armed robbery and narcotics.
Tank Johnson, while a stand-out defensive tackle, has also had several run-ins with law enforcement. He received 18 months probation for another unlawful weapons charge last November. Charges filed after a fight on Rush Street this February were dropped.
Johnson's brushes with the law are the only detours on a journey from the streets of Gary, Ind. to NFL stardom. His family moved him away from Gary to get him gang bangers.
Now, he is back, authorities say, in what they call questionable company.
Johnson is not in any way linked to the marijuana charges and the other gun charges, authorities tell CBS 2, usually result in a simple fine and may not even be enough to violate his previous probation.
The charge of not having the card while possessing firearms carries a penalty of up to a year in jail upon conviction, said Jeff Pavletic, first assistant state's attorney in Lake County. Unless specifically exempted by statute, all Illinois residents who buy or possess firearms are required by law to have a valid Firearm Owner's Identification card. They are issued by the Illinois State Police.
Johnson left Halas Hall Thursday around 3 p.m. with a Bears security guard, presumably to turn himself in to police.
What This Means For The Bears Losing Johnson would be a major blow to the Bears, who've already clinched a playoff berth by winning the NFC North.
Chicago also is without Pro Bowl defensive tackle Tommie Harris, who underwent surgery Tuesday for a torn hamstring.
"I'm disappointed," Smith said. "Of course we're disappointed that something like this is coming up. We're constantly talking about our players, about doing the right thing, and our players do the right thing the majority of the time. But sometimes things like this come up."