A traffic stop on West McClure Street in Kewanee around 6:30 PM on March 25, 2026, led to the discovery of several illegal substances. Detectives with the Kewanee Police Department Street Crime Unit searched a vehicle and found over 190 grams of suspected psilocybin mushrooms and 13.4 grams of suspected methamphetamine, along with small amounts of DMT and improperly transported cannabis. The driver, identified as John Gerstel, 42, of Prophetstown, was arrested and processed by local authorities and transported to the Henry County Jail. On March 26th, Gerstel was officially charged with Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance (Class 4 Felony), Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver (Class 1 Felony), Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine (Class 2 Felony), Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Deliver (Class 1 Felony), and Unlawful Use of Cannabis By A Driver (Class A Misdemeanor). Gerstel is in the custody of the Henry County Jail, awaiting his first court appearance.
All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.