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Sheriff: Peoria man arrested after bringing 'large amount' of illegal drugs into courthouse

Photos of some of the drugs 49-year-old James Coats of Peoria allegedly brought into the Peoria County Courthouse on Wednesday.
Peoria County Sheriff's Office
Photos of some of the drugs 49-year-old James Coats of Peoria allegedly brought into the Peoria County Courthouse on Wednesday.

A Peoria man faces numerous drug charges after he allegedly tried to bring a "large amount" of drugs into the Peoria County Courthouse on Wednesday.

Peoria County Sheriff Chris Watkins said the courthouse security team found approximately 30 grams of powder cocaine, five grams of crack cocaine, and 50 methamphetamine pills hidden in a second pair of sweatpants worn by 49-year-old James Coats.

The drugs were separated and packaged for sale, the sheriff said.

Coats was arrested for possession of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, and for an outstanding traffic warrant. He was booked into the Peoria County Jail.

Tim was the News Director at WCBU Peoria Public Radio. He left the station in 2025.