A Hamilton County grand jury has declined to indict the younger brother of Timothy Thomas — whose 2001 shooting death by a Cincinnati police officer sparked riots — on a felony drug charge.

Terry Thomas, 18, of Avondale will face city charges for two misdemeanor weapons violations from a Sept. 26 arrest.

Mr. Thomas was found that night inside a minivan from which Cincinnati police say shots were fired on Westwood Northern Boulevard in Millvale. A 24-year-old South Fairmount man, Deangelo Williams, was also in the minivan.

Officers charged Mr. Thomas with drug possession after police said a search turned up more than 12 grams of crack cocaine on the vehicle's floor near the driver's seat. The grand jury declined to indict on this charge.

Mr. Thomas also was charged with two counts of improperly handling firearms in a motor vehicle. These charges will be tried by city prosecutors.

Court documents say a loaded .357 revolver and loaded .22-caliber rifle were found in the passenger area of Mr. Thomas' minivan. The weapons charges are first-degree misdemeanors.

Grand jurors indicted Mr. Williams for having a weapon under disability, a fifth-degree felony. According to court documents, Mr. Williams has a prior conviction for drug trafficking. On Sept. 26, arresting officers found him in possession of a .357 Ruger.

Mr. Thomas returns to court Oct. 14.

Mr. Williams is held in lieu of $25,000 cash and is scheduled for arraignment Oct. 18.

E-mail mmccain@enquirer.com

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