Bond was set Monday afternoon at $250,000 for a Galesburg man facing a litany of drug and weapons felony charges.
51-year-old Gilbert D. Bicknell made a video appearance in Knox County Circuit Court where Judge Curtis Lane set bond and scheduled a hearing to determine if a public defender would be appointed.
Bicknell and 44-year-old Jay A. Murdock were arrested Sunday morning at around 6:20 by the Galesburg Police Department’s Special Response Team who executed a “no-knock” search warrant at an unattached garage at 481 North Cedar Street.
According to a police report, officers found around 11.6 grams of what would field test positive for crystal methamphetamine and a small amount of what field-tested positive for heroin.
Additionally, officers found several long knives and swords, a revolver, an “old western style lever action rifle,” and several different calibers of ammunition, and what appears to have been a stolen badge from the Knox County Sheriff’s Office.
The litany of charges against Bicknell includes a Methamphetamine Delivery under 15 grams, Use of a Vehicle, Structure, or Property for Sale of Meth, Possession of a Controlled Substance, several charges of Unlawful Possession of a Weapon by a Felon, and Criminal Fortification of a Residence/Building, among many others.
Murdock was only charged with misdemeanor obstruction of justice in Knox County Court. Galesburg Police allege that Murdock tried to shut the door on officers as they made entry to the garage.
Murdock’s bond was set at $1,000. Additionally, he had two warrants out for his arrest, one in Knox County, the other in Mercer County. The total bond between the three is $7,500.
Bicknell’s next court date will be Friday, November 8, for a hearing to determine if a public defender will be appointed. A preliminary hearing was scheduled for Monday, November 25.
