A 31-year-old Carlinville man is in the Jefferson County Jail after Mt. Vernon police arrested him early Monday morning on drug and weapons-related charges.

Around 1:30 a.m. Monday, a Mt Vernon police officer reportedly observed a vehicle parked at a business in the 2700 block of Veterans Memorial Drive and due to suspicious circumstances began to investigate further.

During the investigation, the officer made contact with a male subject, later identified as Ryan W. Smith from Carlinville. Smith initially provided the officer with false information about his identity.

Officers located a loaded pistol, methamphetamine, Schedule IV narcotics, packaging materials, a weighing scale, ammunition, and drug paraphernalia.

Smith was taken to the Jefferson County Jail on charges of armed violence, unlawful use of a weapon, manufacture / delivery of methamphetamine, possession of drug equipment, obstructing identification, driving while license revoked, and improper use of registration. Bail remains to be set.

Smith is already facing nine drug-related charges in Clinton County stemming from an October traffic stop.

Smith was freed on $5,000 bond in that case and is scheduled for a December 13 status hearing.