Quincy man pleads not guilty to weapon, drug charges; case placed on September jury docket

QUINCY — A Quincy man pled not guilty to multiple weapons and drug charges during a status hearing on Wednesday, and his case was placed on the September jury docket.

Austin M. Schneider, 20, was arraigned in Adams County Circuit Court with Public Defender John Citro before Judge Scott Larson. Schneider pled not guilty to:

• Armed violence, a Class X felony punishable for between six and 30 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections; 
• Meth delivery less than five grams, a Class 2 felony punishable for between three and seven years in prison;
• Possession of methamphetamine less than five grams, a Class 3 felony punishable for between two and five years in prison; 
• Felon in possession of a firearm, a Class 3 felony;
• Felon in possession of ammunition, a Class 3 felony.

An Adams County grand jury filed a bill of indictment against Schneider on June 27. Schneider’s pretrial release was denied on June 17.

A status hearing was set for Aug. 7.

Officers with the Quincy Police Department Special Investigations Unit obtained a search warrant on June 14 for a residence in the 600 block of North Eighth in Quincy. Officers with the Quincy Police Department Emergency Response Team executed the search warrant at the residence at about 2:20 a.m.

During the execution of the search warrant, several individuals were taken into custody pending the investigation. During the search of the residence, officers found a 9mm handgun, ammunition, United States currency, methamphetamine and other drug paraphernalia. 

Also arrested with Schneider was Dakota R. Morrill, 26, of Quincy. She was charged with:

• Armed violence;
• Meth delivery less than five grams; 
• Possession of methamphetamine less than five grams. 
• Possession of firearm without a valid FOID card, a Class A misdemeanor.

Public Defender Mark Taylor represents Morrill. She is scheduled for a status hearing on Aug. 6. Morrill’s pretrial release also was denied on June 17.