Convicted felon arrested with gun, drugs after webster traffic stop in Webster

WEBSTER — A Springfield man with prior felony convictions was arrested early Monday after police discovered an illegal firearm, ammunition and marijuana during a traffic stop.

Shain West, 27, was taken into custody around 2:55 a.m. after Webster police officers stopped his Chevrolet Malibu on Washington Street for a defective license plate light.

Officer Alex Johnson observed West moving suspiciously inside the vehicle, opening and closing the center console, when the car was pulled over.

During the stop, police determined West did not possess a valid driver’s license.

A search of the vehicle’s center console revealed a large bag of marijuana and a round of ammunition, according to police.

Officers then discovered a loaded .22 caliber Smith and Wesson handgun with 10 rounds, a 17-round “high capacity” magazine, and several rounds of various caliber ammunition.

Police also found two additional large bags of marijuana, a scale, and sandwich bags, with the total marijuana weight reaching three ounces.

West, who had previously served four to six years in prison for aggravated assault and battery and robbery convictions in 2018, is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition as a convicted felon.

He faces multiple charges including unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, carrying a firearm without a license, armed career criminal level 1, possession of a large capacity feeding device, and possession with intent to distribute class D.

Bail was set at $10,000, and West was arraigned at Dudley District Court where he was held pending a dangerousness hearing.