By GARY L. SMITH of the Journal Star | www.pjstar.com

Warith R. Muhammad

LACON — Self-proclaimed “Messiah” Warith Muhammad was found guilty Tuesday afternoon of drug charges in a Marshall County case in which he defended himself partly by alleging the case was “all about money.”

The jury deliberated only about 30 minutes before finding the Peoria man guilty of possessing small amounts of cocaine and marijuana, as well as four traffic offenses stemming from a speeding stop south of Sparland on Sept. 9.

In a step that seemed to stun Muhammad, 32, Circuit Judge Scott Shore immediately revoked his bond and ordered him jailed until sentencing April 24. He could face up to a three-year prison sentence.

“I don’t get no furlough days to take care of things at home I’ve got to take care of before I get sentenced?” Muhammad asked the judge.

“No,” Shore replied.

Several jurors approached afterward declined to comment. But the speed with which they reached six verdicts and signed all the paperwork suggested that they had decisively rejected the… read the rest @ pjstar.com

Gary L. Smith can be reached at (800) 516-0389 or glsmith@mtco.com. Read his Northern Circuit blog at pjstar.com. Follow him on Twitter @Glsmithx.