Officers say open containers led to discovery of a loaded 9mm during early-morning stop
UTICA, NY – What began as an early-morning traffic stop on Court Street took a turn when Utica officers spotted a green handgun beneath a passenger seat, leading to the discovery of a loaded 9mm and felony weapon charges against a 21-year-old man, police said.
Utica Police Patrol Division officers stopped a vehicle in the 1000 block of Court Street at approximately 1:20 a.m. Sunday for alleged New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law violations.
When officers approached the vehicle, they noticed several open containers in plain view, according to police.
The occupants were asked to exit the vehicle, and officers conducted an additional search for evidence.
During that search, police said officers noticed a green handgun underneath the passenger seat.
The occupants were detained while officers secured the weapon.
Police said they subsequently determined that the firearm was a loaded 9mm handgun.
The occupants were transported to the Utica Police Department while the investigation continued.
At the conclusion of the investigation, police charged Gabriel Carpenter, 21, of Boonville, with second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and criminal possession of a firearm.
Carpenter was also charged with an open-container violation under New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law.
Police did not identify the other occupants or announce charges against anyone else in the vehicle.
The department also did not disclose what traffic violation initially prompted officers to stop the vehicle.
The charges are accusations, and Carpenter is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Key Points
- Utica Police stopped a vehicle on Court Street at approximately 1:20 a.m. Sunday for alleged traffic violations.
- Officers reported seeing open containers before discovering a green loaded 9mm handgun underneath the passenger seat.
- Gabriel Carpenter, 21, of Boonville, was charged with two firearm offenses and an open-container violation.
