Drew Peterson Arrested on a Charge of Felony Unlawful Use of a Weapon (Stacy Peterson, Kathleen Savio)

Drew Peterson, a suspect in his fourth wife’s disappearance, has been arrested and charged with felony unlawful use of a weapon. Drew Peterson turned himself into law enforcement today.

Peterson, a former police sergeant, left his Bolingbrook home about 12:30 p.m. and shouted “I love you” to reporters before getting into the gold Mercedes owned by his attorney, Joel Brodsky. He was taken to the Bolingbrook police station and from there was transferred to the Will County Adult Detention Facility, where he arrived about 1:30 p.m. in the front passenger seat of an unmarked car.

Asked how he was feeling, Peterson said, “The usual.”

Pictures from NBC5

Drew Peterson had been named a suspect in the disappearance of his fourth wife Stacy Peterson. Stacy Peterson has been missing since October 28 2007. Drew Peterson’s third wife, Kathleen Savio, mysteriously drown and died in a bathtub. The death was originally called an accident, but has since been ruled a homicide. However, the present arrest is not related to his previous wife’s death or disappearance. It can be speculated that at least Peterson will be in custody while authorities continue to investigate the case of missing Stacy Peterson.

Colt model Sporter Lightweight, 223 Remington rifle

Wednesday’s charge—a Class 3 felony that carries a penalty of up to 5 years in prison—alleges Peterson “knowingly possessed a rifle, namely a Colt model Sporter Lightweight, 223 Remington rifle … with a barrel less than 16 inches in length” in violation of state law, the Will County state’s attorney’s office said.

The rifle was among 11 guns seized Nov. 1 during the execution of a search warrant on Peterson’s house. Those guns have been the subject of an ongoing legal fight waged by Brodsky to have Peterson’s belongings returned to him. The next court date in that case is scheduled for Thursday.

Peterson’s defense attorney, Joel Brodsky said that the arrest warrant had been issued Tuesday and that the arrest was part of an effort by state police to harass his client, Drew Peterson. Far be it from a defense attorney to think that a client could be arrested because they broke the law.

The arrest warrant had been issued Tuesday. Brodsky said the arrest was part of an effort by state police to harass Peterson.

“Any inconvenience they can cause him, so much the better,” Brodsky said as he waited outside the jail. “They might believe it’s a tactic to shake him up.” (WHDH)

Drew Peterson charged with weapons violation