A routine traffic stop along Interstate 57 has Douglas County prosecutors attempting to seize $26,950 in cash.

According to documents filed by Douglas County State’s Attorney Kevin Nolan, state trooper Chris Owen stopped James S. “Mae Mae” Staples of Chicago on January 19 for a minor traffic violation.

Staples, an alleged member the Black Gangster Disciples street gang, was “displaying extreme nervousness” and attempting to divert attention from a brown Louis Vitton bag, which upon a search contained $26,600 in cash.

Staples was driving a rented black Volvo S40 with a suspended license, and there was a “caution alert” attached to his file due to has alleged gang affiliation, along with an outstanding warrant for his arrest out of Marion County in southern Illinois for failing to appear for driving with a suspended license. Marion County currently shows the warrant as inactive.

Staples was arrested for driving with a suspended license, and Owens searched the vehicle, and turned up the cash and cannabis. Staples was subsequently interviewed by Illinois State Police investigators Nate Luster and Ryan Buehmerkemper, during which Staples claimed he had won the cash playing craps in Centralia.

Staples’ is being represented by attorney Richard L. Broch of Tuscola in the dispute over the cash. According to Broch, Staples is set to go to trial on April 16 for the driving with a suspended license citation, and will be representing Staples for the violation in Marion County. Broch is unaware of any other criminal charges pending against Staples.