Gun Found Behind Refrigerator Leads to Criminal Charges
David Loren Ebke, 60, of Fairbury, was arraigned in Jefferson County Court on Wednesday, December 14, 2022, via webcam in the custody of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. Linda Bauer was the presiding judge.
Ebke is charged with possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, a class 1D felony, which carries a mandatory three-year minimum and 50-year maximum prison sentence. He is also charged with possession of a controlled substance, a class 4 felony, and possession of drug paraphernalia, an infraction.
On November 16, 2022, deputies with the sheriff’s office were asked to assist the probation office with a search of Ebke’s place of residence. According to the deputy that filled out the arrest affidavit, “I was told that probation was doing a search of David Ebke’s place of residence and David was not being cooperative.”
The affidavit notes, “They (probation officers) advised they needed us to watch David as they searched his place. They also advised that they saw David throw something behind the refrigerator while they were waiting for us to arrive. During the search by probation officers, they moved the refrigerator out and found a black case behind it. Inside this case was a loaded, silver .22 magnum caliber derringer.”
Ebke is prohibited from owning a firearm due to a felony conviction.
Another hearing is scheduled for January 11, 2023.
