Local Man Arrested on Drug and Weapons Charges

(COLE HEIDEN)

An Effingham man is in custody following his arrest Thursday morning on drug and weapons charges.

Effingham Police Department executed a search warrant at a residence in Lakewood Manor Mobile Home Park shortly after 7am Thursday. 37-year-old Cole D. Heiden of Effingham was taken into custody on counts of possession of a controlled substance, that being Fentanyl; possession of methamphetamine; and unlawful use or possession of a firearm by a felon. Heiden was arrested and booked into Effingham County Jail.

Under the new SAFE-T Act laws, a detention hearing was held Friday to determine pre-trial release. The Court found proof evident of commission of a detainable offense, and Effingham County State's Attorney Aaron Jones' petition that Heiden be detained pending trial was granted. Heiden is a convicted felon, and a loaded firearm was located in his possession and seized during the search. Possession of a firearm by a felon is a detainable offense under the SAFE-T Act.

Multiple law enforcement agencies assisted Effingham police in conducting the search, including the Effingham Police Department/Effingham County Sheriff's Office Special Response Team and Southeast Illinois Drug Task Force.

Effingham Police Lieutenant Detective Tom Webb was pleased with the outcome of the investigation which led to the search warrant and subsequent arrest of Heiden. According to Lt. Webb, “Investigators have been working tirelessly to identify fentanyl and methamphetamine associates in Effingham in order to curb the flow of illegal substances in our city and protect our residents. Because of the strong teamwork between Effingham Police Officers and Effingham County Sheriff’s Deputies, we were able to safely and successfully conduct today’s task and make an arrest for both drugs and weapons.”

The investigation is on-going, and additional charges are anticipated.