Southwestern Illinois judge Michael Cook quit his post Wednesday amidst charges of heroin and gun offenses.

St. Clair County Circuit judge Michael Cook stepped down in a brief letter to the county's chief judge, John Baricevic, reported FOX News.

"I'm not surprised under the circumstances," said Baricevic. "In one sense, it was a formality, but a very important one. Disciplinary procedures seeking him removed could have taken a very long time."

"He has accepted responsibility, and that has allowed us to move ahead."

Cook, 43, was charged by federal prosecutors on Friday with possessing heroin and having a gun while illegally using controlled substances, reported ABC News.

This enlightened Cook's spotty history, as a coroner in western Illinois' Pike County revealed that St. Clair County judge Joe Christ died two months ago from cocaine overdose while staying with Cook at his family's hunting cabin.

Christ, 49, died only a little more than a week after being sworn in as an associate judge.

As of now, Cook has not been charged in Christ's death, and a federal investigation remains underway.

Similarly, St. Clair County probation officer James Fogarty has admitted to providing cocaine for Cook and Christ, including the night before the pairs' hunting trip which ended in Christ's death.

The three reportedly snorted cocaine together before Cook and Christ left for the trip.

Not surprisingly, Cook had been accused of being an addict by prosecutors, but had pleaded not guilty and is free on bond.

All of Cook's pending cases have been reassigned to Circuit Judge Robert Haida as Cook continues to be investigated.