In a significant crackdown on illegal firearms, Springfield Police, joined by the Hampden County Sheriff’s Department, arrested three people and recovered a loaded 'ghost gun' during a traffic stop. The Springfield Police Department's Firearms Investigation Unit (FIU), under the direction of Captain Brian Keenan, executed the stop near State Street and St. James Avenue yesterday, as reported on the Springfield Police Department's website.
Deavon Spencer, previously under investigation by the FIU for illicit possession of a firearm, was in the passenger seat at the time of the stop. The car, driven by Jerrika Ortiz, with Neva'eh Best in the back seat, contained more than just its occupants. Detectives unearthed a ghost gun, over 100 grams of marijuana, and nine Clonazepam pills.
The three suspects were promptly placed under arrest, with charges for each ranging from carrying a firearm without a license to possession with the intent to distribute drugs. Spencer, 24, faces an extensive list of charges, including carrying a loaded firearm without a license, conspiracy to violate drug law, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. Ortiz, 20, shares similar charges along with an arrest warrant. Best, 21, faces charges that include conspiracy to violate drug law and possession with the intent to distribute a Class C drug.
This seizure underscores the ongoing issue of untraceable firearms, known as "ghost guns," which lack serial numbers and are therefore harder for law enforcement to track. The Springfield Police Department’s dedicated effort to monitor and arrest individuals in violation of firearm regulations, represents their commitment to combating gun violence and maintaining public safety within the community.
