Drugs Result in Several Arrests in Mattoon

Mattoon police arrested 20-year-old Michael Castaneda of Mattoon just after 2:30am Tuesday in the 700 block of Rudy Avenue. Castaneda was charged with home invasion, felon in possession of a firearm, possession of a stolen firearm and obstructing justice. 

The charges allege that Castaneda broke into an apartment on East Rudy Place and confronted the occupants who were asleep in a bedroom. An altercation ensued between Castaneda and the occupants. The altercation ended when a 17-year-old male juvenile, who accompanied Castaneda during the incident, pointed the stolen firearm at a victim within the residence. The juvenile was also arrested and charged with home invasion. A loaded handgun used in the incident was recovered later Tuesday morning.

Police say the incident stemmed from drug usage, as well as an argument over a woman. 

Additionally, an occupant of the apartment, 24-year-old Virgil Brown, Jr. of Mattoon, was also arrested. Brown was being sought on an outstanding warrant from Coles County charging robbery.

Two other arrests were made Tuesday morning. 26-year-old Alyssa Shain and 30-year-old James Hendrix, both of Mattoon, were arrested at 10:30am and 11:26am Tuesday. Their arrests came after a search warrant was served in the 1400 block of Wabash Avenue. Both were charged with possession of methamphetamine. The search warrant was the result of the investigation involving the home invasion arrests earlier that morning. Police say Castaneda and the 17-year-old male associate with Hendrix and Shain and were present in their apartment just prior to the home invasion on East Rudy. 

The search warrant led to the discovery of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia and evidence of heroin abuse. 

Hendrix, Shain, Castaneda and Brown were all taken to Coles County Jail, while the 17-year-old was confined to the Department of Juvenile Justice.