RURAL STOCKTON, IL — A 29-year-old Hanover man was arrested Monday evening following a traffic stop that led to the discovery of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

According to a media release from the Jo Daviess County Sheriff’s Office, Matthew T. Liberg was taken into custody on September 28, 2026, at approximately 7:56 p.m. The incident occurred on Illinois Route 78 South at South Derinda Road.

Deputies initially stopped Liberg’s vehicle on suspicion that he had been stealing fuel from local construction equipment. During the stop, a K-9 unit from the Stockton Police Department conducted a free-air sniff of the vehicle. After the K-9 alerted to the odor of narcotics, officers conducted a search and located a small bag of a crystal-like substance and a clear glass methamphetamine pipe.

The substance field-tested positive for methamphetamine.

Liberg has been charged with Theft of Property Under $500, Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was transported to the Jo Daviess County Jail following his arrest.

The Jo Daviess County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Stockton Police Department. The incident remains under investigation.