Man arrested for drugs allegedly in his pants at courthouse

PEORIA, Ill. – Here’s a word to the wise: Don’t try to enter the Peoria County Courthouse with a large amount of illegal drugs in your pants.

Sheriff Chris Watkins is giving kudos to court security after a man allegedly tried to enter the courthouse Thursday with drugs on him.

Watkins says a search of James Coats, 49, as he entered the courthouse resulted in 30 grams of powder cocaine, five grams of crack cocaine, and over 50 methamphetamine pills being found, all in a second pair of sweatpants he allegedly was wearing.

This is on top of a traffic warrant Coats allegedly was wanted for.

He’s now facing charges of Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver.

Coats, however, was released from custody after being given Notices to Appear in Court.