Columbia man charged with stealing gun, unlawful use of a weapon

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Columbia man faces several charges after he was arrested Thursday in west Columbia.

John Lonce Williamson III, 26, is charged with stealing a gun and possession of a controlled substance. He also has a charge from 2021 for unlawful use of a weapon, in relation to an incident from 2020, according to Casenet. He also has charges for driving while revoked and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.

Williamson is being held without bond at the Boone County Jail for the unlawful use of a weapon charge. A $9,000 bond was set for the stealing charge.

An arraignment for Williamson was held Friday at the Boone County Courthouse. Boone County Jail records indicate his next court appearance -- for the stealing, possession and unlawful use of a weapon charges -- is 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 22.

On Thursday, a Columbia police officer noticed Williamson get into a black Nissan Sentra. The officer said in the probable cause statement that he knew Williamson was wanted for a 2020 shooting. The officer also wrote he knew Williamson was known to have guns with him.

The officer stopped the vehicle on Scott Boulevard at Chapel Hill Road. Orders were given to Williamson to get out of the vehicle, which he did. He was then taken into custody. The other people in the vehicle were told to get out as well, which they complied.

One of the people in the vehicle was also known to “be involved in shootings,” the probable cause statement says. The statement did not list a name for that person.

A black hand gun was found. Boone County Joint Communications said it was allegedly stolen. Methamphetamine was also found.