A Belleview man was arrested on weapons charges Monday after a Marion County sheriff’s deputy found a sawed-off shotgun in his garage.
The deputy was responding to another matter at the home of Matthew Alan Cheney, 32, of 10190 E. 122nd St., when he observed a brown sawed-off shotgun with no visible serial number. The firearm was on top of Cheney’s toolbox in plain view, according to the sheriff’s office report.
Cheney told the deputy a friend stopped by and left the gun at his residence. Cheney said he didn’t know the friend’s real name and only knew him as “One-Shot.” He was unable to provide any proof that “One-Shot” actually exists. Cheney said he knew he wasn’t supposed to be in possession of a firearm, but he knew a firearm was in his residence, according to the report.
A computer check revealed Cheney is a convicted felon whose most recent conviction was in July 2010 for aggravated battery for great bodily harm. He was charged with possession of a weapon or ammunition by a convicted felon and possession of a short-barreled gun, rifle, or machine gun.
Cheney was taken to the Marion County Jail, where he was released later in the day on $7,000 bond. A court date has not been scheduled.