Two Rockford Men Arrested After Weapons Search

Authorities recover loaded handgun during warrant execution on city's west side

Jan. 30, 2026 at 4:07pm

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Two Rockford men were taken into custody on Friday following a weapons investigation that led police to execute a search warrant and recover a loaded handgun in the 1200 block of Widgren Drive. Tszarian Wright, 21, and Deterrace Dotson, 19, were arrested and face various weapons charges.

Why it matters

Illegal weapons and gang activity are ongoing concerns for law enforcement in Rockford, a city that has struggled with gun violence and crime rates higher than the national average. This arrest highlights the efforts of local police to crack down on illegal firearms and remove them from the streets.

The details

According to the Rockford Police Department, members of the Gang and Narcotics Units executed the search warrant as part of an ongoing investigation involving illegal weapons. During the search, detectives located and recovered a loaded handgun. Wright was charged with aggravated unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a firearm without a valid FOID card, while Dotson was charged with unlawful possession of a weapon by a gang member and possession of a firearm without a valid FOID.

  • The search warrant was executed on Friday, January 30, 2026.

The players

Tszarian Wright

A 21-year-old Rockford resident who was charged with aggravated unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a firearm without a valid FOID card.

Deterrace Dotson

A 19-year-old Rockford resident who was charged with unlawful possession of a weapon by a gang member and possession of a firearm without a valid FOID.

Rockford Police Department

The local law enforcement agency that executed the search warrant and made the arrests.

Winnebago County State's Attorney's Office

The prosecuting authority that authorized the formal charges against Wright and Dotson.

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What’s next

The judge will determine whether to grant bail for Wright and Dotson at their upcoming court appearances.

The takeaway

This arrest highlights the ongoing efforts by Rockford law enforcement to combat illegal weapons and gang activity in the city, which has struggled with higher-than-average crime rates. The recovery of a loaded handgun during the search warrant execution underscores the importance of these investigations in removing dangerous firearms from the community.