UTICA — Four people were arrested on weapons charges after police found two loaded handguns during a traffic stop on Oct. 14.
Utica Police units assigned to the Crime Prevention Unit, working with GIVE Investigations on ongoing weapons possession and retaliatory gun crime investigations, were conducting patrols in GIVE Hot Spot areas at approximately 9:45 p.m.
Officers conducted a vehicle stop on the 1000 block of Wager Street for vehicle and traffic law violations.
Upon approaching the vehicle, officers observed four occupants inside.
While speaking with the occupants, officers noticed a light/laser attachment for a handgun in plain view.
Officers requested the occupants exit the vehicle and conducted a search of the interior.
During the search, a loaded 9mm Smith and Wesson handgun was located under the driver seat, and a loaded Taurus 9mm handgun was found in the glove compartment.
All four occupants were detained and transported to the Utica Police Department.
Police could not determine who the handguns belonged to, and all four parties were charged.
Neveah Baez, 21, of Rome, was charged with two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, two counts of criminal possession of a firearm, and criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree for a high capacity magazine.
Jesen Blackshear, 19, of Utica, was charged with two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, two counts of criminal possession of a firearm, and criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree for a high capacity magazine.
Michael Reed, 18, of Utica, was charged with two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, two counts of criminal possession of a firearm, and criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree for a high capacity magazine.
Marcus Reed, 26, of Utica, was charged with two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, two counts of criminal possession of a firearm, and criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree for a high capacity magazine and a previous conviction.
