Tywann Windham

BUTLER TWP — An arrest warrant has been issued for a convicted drug dealer after a probation check Wednesday turned up a stolen handgun hidden in the oven at his Lyndora apartment.

Authorities said they also found suspected crack cocaine and other drug contraband at Tywann R. Windham’s home on Bessemer Avenue.

District Judge Kevin O‘Donnell Thursday morning signed the felony warrant for Windham’s arrest on drug and weapons charges.

Windham was not at home Wednesday when two Butler County probation officers stopped at his apartment. However, his girlfriend was there and let the officers in, said county detectives.

While searching the home, the officers discovered a red T-shirt stashed in the oven. The shirt was used to wrap around a 9 mm Smith & Wesson pistol, according to investigators.

A check of the gun determined that it had previously been reported stolen to state police.

Windham is not permitted to possess firearms because of a pair of prior felony convictions.

The home search also uncovered a plastic baggie containing 1.2 grams of suspected crack and four packs of Suboxone in a small Ziploc bag, documents said.

Additionally, authorities found drug packaging materials, three digital scales and a marijuana grinder.

Windham is wanted on felony charges of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, illegal possession of a firearm and receiving stolen property.

He also is charged with misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia.

County court records showed that Windham in June 2014 was sentenced to 11½ to 23 months in the county prison stemming from a felony drug trafficking case in 2013.

He also was convicted of felony drug possession in the county in 2010.