Pair charged with selling drugs at gas station

By: 
Free Press Staff

Two repeat offenders were captured and booked into the Will County jail last week, following a narcotics investigation by the Braidwood Police Department.

The arrests happened on Wednesday, March 22.

According to the police report, two men were spotted selling drugs at a gas station in Braidwood. After a brief investigation, police arrested Jesse D. Tucker, 20, of Joliet, and James C. Skinner, 35, of Wilmington, on multiple charges.

At the time of the arrest, a search of the pair yielded 0.8 grams of crack cocaine, and approximately $270 in cash.

During the course of the investigation, it was also discovered that Skinner is a registered sex offender who has failed to report his current address to the state of Illinois.

Skinner is listed on the Illinois Sex Offender Registry as a “sexual predator” following a 2007 conviction for aggravated criminal sexual abuse to a minor aged 13-16. His location on that website has been listed as “unknown” since April 2016.
While Skinner’s address was written in the Braidwood police report as unknown, the booking report from the county shows Skinner to be a resident of Wilmington.

Tucker and Skinner were taken to the Braidwood Police Department for questioning following the arrest, then transported to Joliet.

Tucker was charged with three felony charges, including possession with intent to sell, and possession of a controlled substance. He was booked into the Will County Adult Detention Facility on a $125,000 bond.

Skinner faces two felony charges of manufacturing and delivering a schedule II narcotic, and possession of a controlled substance. Skinner was also hit with three additional felony charges for not registering his address as a sex offender, and having no fixed address. He was booked into the Will County Adult Detention Facility on a $50,000 bond.

Skinner will have a hearing on his failure to register his address next month.