SALINE CO. – The man who was stopped by what’s popularly known in southern Illinois as a “rabbit cop,” and which stop yielded an abundance of alleged contraband and cash, has had a forfeiture filed in the matter.
William (Billy) Michael (also known as Mikey) Cummins, 27, who has claimed no job and no visible means of support on his court documents, was busted November 10 on the parking lot of Harrisburg’s McDonald’s when he pulled up in his expensive 2006 Hummer H3 and caught the attention of Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) officer Charles Diggins, who knew Cummins to have a failure to appear warrant on a speeding ticket out of Williamson County.
When Cummins stopped and was apprehended, his vehicle was searched and court documents show that $11,052 was found in the center console of it. As well, authorities found a .40-cal pistol and 252 grams of suspected cannabis, along with hydrocodone with no evidence of a prescription for it accompanying, and “materials to package and deliver the cannabis.”
Cummins was charged with felony Cannabis Delivery, Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Felon in Possession of a Firearm counts and was jailed.
Following the filing of charges, on Nov. 20, Saline County Assistant State’s Attorney Jason Olson filed a complaint for forfeiture, using Illinois’ Drug Asset Forfeiture Procedure Act.
Under this filing, Olson noted that the Hummer and the vast sum of cash was seized by the IDNR, claiming that prior to the seizure, the property “was used in the commission of the offenses” that Cummins was charged with.
If the state is successful, IDNR becomes the owner of the Hummer as well as of the cash.
Olson noted that Cummins, being the “owner and/or interest holder of the seized property,” was noticed via certified mail on that date.
Cummins, for all of his non-visible means of support-ism, has retained the legal services of the law offices of Drew and Drew, where the reviled “lawyer to the criminals,” Bryan Drew, is employed. Notice was sent to the Drews for a December 14 hearing.
It’s unlikely that Cummins will get his property back on that day; it’s also the same day he’s scheduled for a first appearance on the multiple felony charges in criminal court.