2 men prayed in back of squad car as St. Paul police found guns

Expired car registration led to search; suspects were videotaped in squad car referring to handguns, Ecstasy.

July 7, 2012 at 3:37AM

Sitting in the back of a squad car, fearing that St. Paul police would find two handguns hidden in their vehicle, Leslie H. Burton, 26, and Terrell Williams, 22, joined hands to pray, authorities say.

In the prayer, captured on video, Burton allegedly asked Jesus to prevent the cops from finding the weapons.

But police would recover not only the guns, but also a baggie of suspected Ecstasy that Williams allegedly pushed into his rectum, according to charges filed this week in Ramsey County District Court.

He tried to hide the pills because there were too many to swallow, Williams said.

On Thursday, Williams was charged with fifth-degree drug possession and possession of a firearm by an ineligible person. Burton faces charges of carrying or possessing a pistol without a permit.

Both have lengthy criminal records.

According to the complaint, police stopped their Ford Mustang on Tuesday after it pulled out of an alley quickly and after a license-plate check revealed that the registration had expired.

Burton, who was driving, and Williams, who was in the front passenger seat, were placed in the back of the squad car. In the video, Burton referred to the guns as "straps" and Williams described the suspected Ecstasy as "skittles."

Police found the guns under a tray in the car's center console.

The pills were recovered during a strip search at the county jail.

The men made their first court appearances on Friday. Williams was jailed in lieu of $60,000 bail. Burton was being held in lieu of $30,000 bail.

ANTHONY LONETREE

about the writer

about the writer