On the evening of New Year's Day, a routine traffic stop by the Springfield Police Department's C3 Unit led to the arrest of a 41-year-old man and the seizure of a loaded firearm and drugs, as detailed by a recent police report. Jason Patterson, the individual taken into custody, now faces multiple charges.
While patrolling the Metro area, officers from the C3 Unit observed Patterson at a red light making an improper turn and driving an unregistered vehicle. This led the officers to initiate a traffic stop, which ended when Patterson's car collided with another vehicle, according to the Springfield Police Department. Upon further inspection, officers discovered that Patterson's license was suspended. He reportedly informed them of a gun in the vehicle, which was retrieved from the driver's side floor. Officers also found cocaine in the center console.
Sgt. Elizer Vasquez led the C3 officers in the operation that unfolded near Union Street and East Columbus Avenue. As per the Springfield Police, Patterson has a history of firearm and drug offenses, which includes a prior firearm conviction in both U.S. Federal Court in Springfield and in Hampden Superior Court, as well as a cocaine distribution conviction in Springfield District Court.
Patterson is now charged with multiple offenses, including carrying a loaded firearm without a license, a firearm violation with three prior violent or drug crimes, and being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. In addition, he is charged with vehicle-related offenses, including operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license and not having valid vehicle registration. This list reflects his past interactions with the judiciary, reinforcing the significance of this latest run-in with the law.
