Police Find Gun on Man Detained During Traffic Stop
Delaware State Police arrested a 21-year-old man of Wilmington, Delaware, for felony gun charges following a traffic stop that occurred in New Castle recently. On January 28, 2025, at approximately 10:20 p.m., members of the New Castle County Governor’s Task Force were patrolling the area of New Castle Avenue when they saw a white Volkswagen Jetta with a fake temporary license plate traveling southbound on New Castle Avenue. Detectives pulled the vehicle over and made contact with the driver. The driver did not have an identification on him and provided the detectives with fake registration paperwork for the Jetta. The occupant was subsequently taken into custody without incident. A computer inquiry revealed that the suspect’s driver’s license had been suspended, and the Jetta was unregistered and uninsured.
Before they towed the Jetta away, the detectives conducted an inventory search of the car. This led to the discovery of a loaded handgun concealed under the driver’s seat. A computer inquiry of the handgun’s serial number revealed it was reported as stolen in the jurisdiction of the Newark Police Department in March of 2023. Additionally, another computer inquiry revealed that the suspect was a felon who was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition. He was subsequently charged with the crimes listed below:
- Possess a Firearm or Ammunition by a Person Prohibited Prior Violent Crime or Felony (Felony)
- Carrying a Concealed Firearm (Felony)
- Receiving a Stolen Firearm (Felony)
- Driving While Suspended
- Operation of an Unregistered Motor Vehicle
- Additional Traffic Violations
Understanding Possession of a Deadly Weapon by a Person Prohibited Charges
In Delaware, it is unlawful for an individual to carry a deadly weapon or ammunition if:
- They were convicted of a felony or crime of violence involving physical injury
- They were committed to a mental institution
- They were convicted of possessing a controlled substance
- They were subject to a protection from abuse order
- They were convicted of the crime of domestic violence
- They are a juvenile
- The deadly weapon is a semi-automatic or automatic firearm and they are in possession of a controlled substance
Any individual can be convicted of Possession of a Deadly Weapon by a Person Prohibited if you fall into one of the above-listed categories and you purchase, own, possess, or control a deadly weapon. If the crime you were convicted of is only a misdemeanor, then the prohibition on possessing a deadly weapon only lasts five years from the date of the conviction.
Deadly weapons don’t just include guns. They also include knives that are larger than a pocket knife or any instrument that can be used to cause physical injury.
This crime is considered a class F felony. If the weapon is a firearm, it is considered a class D felony. If the weapon is a firearm and you have been previously convicted of a felony, the court must sentence you to at least three years behind bars. If you committed a previous violent felony, you can be sentenced to five years behind bars. If you have two prior violent felonies, the sentence is a mandatory 10 years.
Talk to a Wilmington, DE Weapons Charges Attorney Today
Facing charges for possessing a deadly weapon? Call Wilmington criminal defense lawyer Michael W. Modica today to preserve your rights and ensure an outcome you can live with.
Source:
dsp.delaware.gov/2025/01/31/governors-task-force-detectives-arrest-man-for-gun-charges-following-traffic-stop-in-new-castle/
