WARE — A man allegedly using his cell phone while driving was arrested, along with his passenger, when a state trooper pulled him over and found three “ghost” guns in his truck.
At about 7 p.m. on Monday, a state trooper assigned to a distracted driving enforcement campaign in the Belchertown area saw the driver of a gray pickup truck using a cell phone, Massachusetts State Police said, and pulled over the vehicle at the intersection of Routes 32 and 9.
When the driver — Kyle Juda, 20, of Gilbertville — opened the glove box to retrieve his registration and proof of insurance, the trooper “immediately observed a firearm within” and then determined that neither Juda nor the passenger — Devin Juaridez, 19, of Ware — had a license to carry firearms.
More troopers and officers from the Ware Police Department arrived at the scene and placed Juda and Juaridez under arrest; troopers allegedly found brass knuckles in Juda’s pocket and a firearm magazine in Juaridez’s pocket.
During a search of the vehicle, troopers found three loaded “ghost” guns, another loaded handgun, nine large capacity magazines, an ammunition can, two mason jars containing marijuana, a digital scale and empty plastic baggies, according to state police.
“Ghost” guns are typically assembled by the user from parts purchased online and they do not have serial numbers, making them difficult or impossible to trace.
Juda and Juaridez were charged with various offenses in Eastern Hampshire District Court in Belchertown.
Juda was charged with three counts of improper storage of a firearm, three counts of illegal possession of a firearm, nine counts of possession of a large capacity feeding device, possession of a large capacity firearm while in commission of a felony, carrying a dangerous weapon, possession with intent to distribute marijuana and use of an electronic device while driving.
Juaridez is charged with illegal possession of a firearm and possession of a large capacity feeding device. Both he and Juda are also charged with keeping an open container of alcohol in a vehicle.
Brian Steele can be reached at bsteele@gazettenet.com.