Mattoon Man Arrested on Cocaine and Firearm Charges

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Mattoon Man Arrested on Cocaine and Firearm Charges

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MATTOON, Ill. – A Mattoon man was taken into custody on Friday, August 8, 2026, following an investigation that led to the discovery of illegal narcotics and a firearm. The Illinois State Police (ISP) East Central Illinois Task Force (ECITF) conducted an operation that resulted in the arrest of 44-year-old Marcus M. Jackson.

Authorities recovered a gun linked to Jackson during an operation around 2 p.m. on Friday. He was then transported to the Mattoon Police Department. Following his arrest, a search warrant was executed at Jackson’s residence, where approximately 7 grams of cocaine were found.

Jackson has been charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, armed violence, and unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon. He is currently being held at the Coles County Jail. The ECITF focuses on enforcing Illinois drug laws, investigating gang activity, and combating high-level gun, drug, and human trafficking. In 2023, ISP Metropolitan Enforcement Groups and Drug Task Forces across Illinois seized 718 firearms and 17,812 pounds of drugs, leading to 1,904 arrests. The East Central Illinois Task Force specifically made 71 arrests and seized 30 guns and 228 pounds of narcotics in 2023.

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