Traffic Stop Leads to OUI Arrest, Gun Seizure in W. Springfield

Photo courtesy of Massachusetts State Police

WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – A traffic stop on Route 5 in West Springfield led to the arrest of a local man for driving under the influence of alcohol and the discovery of an illegal firearm.

On Saturday, June 22, at approximately 9:35 p.m., State Police were patrolling Route 5 when they noticed a red Jeep Patriot with an unlit license plate. Upon further inspection, officers found that the Connecticut license plate did not have an RMV registration.

Police conducted a traffic stop and approached the driver, identified as 36 years old. Jamal Rodriguez Francis of West Springfield. Francis was unable to provide valid documentation for the vehicle or a driver’s license. Police also observed an open container of alcohol inside the vehicle and noted signs of impairment by Francis.

After conducting field sobriety tests and a preliminary breath test (PBT), which confirmed impairment, Francis was arrested.

While inventorying the vehicle before towing it, police discovered an unsecured and loaded Glock 23 pistol with a 13-round magazine wedged between the driver’s seat and the center console. Further investigation revealed that Francis did not have a firearms license.

Francis was taken to the Springfield barracks to be arrested, fingerprinted and photographed.

He was arraigned in Springfield District Court on multiple charges, including:

• YES Liquor (third offense)
• Driving a motor vehicle with a suspended license for driving under the influence of alcohol
• YES with license suspended for YES
• Possession of a firearm without an identification device (subsequent offence)
• Possession of a large capacity power supply device
• Carrying a loaded firearm
• Possession of a large capacity firearm during a crime
• Firearms offense with three prior violent or drug crimes
• Improper storage of a large capacity firearm
• License plate violation
• Fixing plates
• Unregistered motor vehicle
• Uninsured motor vehicle
• Open container containing alcohol in a motor vehicle