Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – A suspected member of an area street gang has been arrested and is facing drug and weapons charges. The Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office DIRT team initiated a narcotics investigation of 35-year-old Deandre L. Austin in July.  The team worked in conjunction with the Springfield Field Office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and information was revealed alleging Austin was selling powder cocaine in the Springfield area.

During a search of Austin’s home in the 200 block of Saxon Drive on Wednesday, two 9 mm semi-automatic pistols were found, one of the pistols reportedly had an extended magazine.

Austin was arrested on one count of unlawful use of a weapon by a street gang member and three counts of manufacture/delivery of cocaine. He was taken to the Sangamon County Jail. Austin has 21 prior arrests, including seven previous narcotics-related arrests and nine previous weapons offenses.