By Mike Johnson and John Diedrich
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
MILWAUKEE, Wisc. — London Stewart and his girlfriend were asleep early Wednesday when Milwaukee police tossed in a flash-bang grenade, yelled “Police!” and began smashing a sledge hammer into the front door of the N. 12th St. house, according to a criminal complaint issued Saturday.
Stewart grabbed the loaded 9mm Hi-Point handgun on the nightstand, flipped off the safety and ran out of the bedroom, firing at least one round, hitting Officer James Jekanoski in the arm, the complaint says.
Stewart then wrapped the gun in a shirt and tossed it out the window, the complaint says. Police later would find that weapon and, separately, a loaded .38-caliber Taurus handgun hidden in the water tank of a toilet - both of which Stewart called “house guns” used to protect a marijuana-dealing operation, according to the complaint.
Stewart, a 22-year-old convicted cocaine dealer, was charged Saturday with first-degree reckless injury, first-degree recklessly endangering safety, two counts of possession of a firearm by a felon and keeping a drug house. If convicted, he faces more than 80 years in prison.
Gitan Mbugua, 25, a convicted marijuana dealer, was charged with possession of a firearm by a felon, possession of marijuana and keeping a drug house. He faces 20 years in prison.
Stewart and Mbugua both made their initial court appearance Saturday. They are due back in court Wednesday, according to online court records.
Four other people were arrested at the house in the 3200 block of N. 12th St. on Wednesday morning. They have not been charged, but more charges are expected, said District Attorney John Chisholm.
Jekanoski, 44, and other officers were at the house to execute a search warrant targeting guns and drugs. The 17-year veteran of the force was treated at Froedtert Hospital in Wauwatosa and has been released. He is expected to make a full recovery.
Officer Dennis Justus, who was standing next to Jekanoski, returned fire into the house, but the complaint did not say that anyone inside was wounded.
Copyright 2009 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel