On January 6, 2023, at approximately 5:00 p.m., Detectives with the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Division executed a search warrant in the 300 block of East Cedar St., in Springfield. The Sheriff’s Tactical Response Unit (TRU) assisted in the service. Detectives obtained the warrant as part of an on-going investigation of a burglary in the 2600 block of East Cornell, which was reported on December 14, 2022. The home was the residence of the target of the warrant, Nicholas Groth.
During the search, the following items were recovered: 4 rifles, including an AR-15 with a scope; 8 handguns; parts of 8 other firearms, including 3 barrels for AR-15s; 21 pistol magazines, 4 of which were loaded; 16 rifle magazines, including 5 loaded AR-15 magazines; several hundred rounds of handgun and rifle ammunition; 4.17 grams of methamphetamine; and $264 in U.S. currency. A stolen log splitter (SCSO case) was also recovered from the property.
As a result of the warrant, 34 year old Nicholas Groth was taken into custody. Groth was charged with Possession of Stolen Property, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Felon, Possession of Methamphetamine, and Possession of a Firearm without a FOID card. Groth posted 10% of his $100,000 and is no longer in custody.
Groth was placed on 24 months’ probation in March 2022, stemming from a December 2020 Home Invasion & Domestic Battery case. Groth has 22 prior arrests, to include assault, larceny, burglary, weapons offenses, and drug offenses.
Also arrested was Rachael Followell, 38, of Springfield, for an outstanding Sangamon County traffic warrant. Followell posted bond and is no longer in custody.