Two Massachusetts men are facing charges after a routine traffic stop led to the discovery of illegal firearms and drugs in Lynn. State Trooper Brandon Chartier spotted a gray Nissan Altima committing a traffic violation on Western Avenue this past Saturday, prompting him to pull the vehicle over. The Massachusetts State Police reported on their website that the traffic stop escalated when Chartier noticed a pistol's handle sticking out from the passenger's coat pocket.
Trooper Chartier, who was on traffic enforcement duty, decided to call for backup upon making the unsettling discovery. When Trooper Domenic Ramasci arrived, the officers removed the car's occupants and took possession of the weapons, encountering resistance from one of the passengers in the process. Subsequent searches of the individuals and the vehicle unearthed an additional firearm and approximately six ounces of a substance suspected to be marijuana.
The Massachusetts State Police release named the armed passengers as Dimitry Philippe, 20, of Malden, and Eddie Rojas, 23, of Lynn. Neither possessed the proper licensing for the firearms found in their possession. Philippe, who reportedly attempted to regain control of the discovered pistol, and Rojas were both arrested and taken to the Revere Barracks for booking.
The operator of the Nissan was issued a citation and released from the scene, while Rojas and Philippe were scheduled for arraignment at the Lynn District Court. Rojas is facing multiple charges, including Illegal Possession of a Firearm and Possession of a High Capacity Feeding Device. Philippe's charges include Illegal Possession of a Firearm and Resisting Arrest. Both men are accused of intending to distribute illegally substances classified under Class D, which includes marijuana, and conspiring to violate drug law.
