UTICA, NY — A Florida man was arrested on weapons charges after police found a loaded handgun while conducting a welfare check at a local hotel.
Joseph Navarro, 20, of Zephyrhills, Florida, was charged with criminal possession of a firearm and criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree for an extended magazine.
Utica police units were dispatched to the Red Roof Inn at approximately 9:05 a.m. on April 23, 2026, for a welfare check and to locate a missing juvenile.
Officers knocked on a room door, and a male opened it, according to police.
Officers were informed the juvenile was inside the room and entered to check on the juvenile’s wellbeing.
Upon entering, officers immediately noticed a loaded handgun on the bedside table, police said.
The male was detained, and the juvenile was located inside the bathroom.
Both were transported to the Utica Police Department.
Police applied for and were granted a search warrant for the room.
No additional evidentiary items were located during the search, according to police.
The juvenile was reunited with their family.
