Antrim County Man Charged After Drugs and Firearms Found in Traffic Stop

Deputies discovered a cache of weapons and drugs during a search of the suspect's home.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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A Central Lake Township man is facing multiple charges, including felonies, after sheriff's deputies found drugs, a handgun, and ammunition in his vehicle during a traffic stop. A subsequent search of his home uncovered an additional 11 firearms, over 11,000 rounds of ammunition, and 21.7 grams of methamphetamine.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the ongoing challenges law enforcement faces in addressing drug and firearm-related crimes in rural Michigan communities. The discovery of the large cache of weapons and ammunition raises concerns about public safety and the potential for violence.

The details

On February 2, deputies pulled over Joseph Juracko in Antrim County on suspicion of drug activity. They found his driver's license had been revoked and his vehicle was uninsured. A K-9 unit detected drugs in Juracko's car, where deputies also found a .45 caliber handgun and ammunition. A search of Juracko's home later uncovered 11 firearms, 11,475 rounds of ammunition, and 21.7 grams of methamphetamine.

  • On February 2, deputies pulled over Joseph Juracko.
  • On February 5, Juracko was arraigned on the charges.

The players

Joseph Juracko

A Central Lake Township man who was charged with multiple drug and firearm-related offenses.

Antrim County Sheriff's Office

The law enforcement agency that conducted the traffic stop and subsequent search that led to the charges against Juracko.

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What’s next

The judge will decide on Juracko's bail at a hearing on February 15.

The takeaway

This case underscores the ongoing challenges rural communities face in addressing the intersection of drug and firearm crimes, and the need for comprehensive strategies to improve public safety.