A traffic stop outside the Motel 6 on Hawthorne Avenue NE in Salem turned into a full-blown weapons seizure Thursday, after Marion County Sheriff’s deputies say they spotted a handgun tucked under a car’s passenger seat and ended up pulling multiple loaded firearms from the vehicle. Photos posted by the agency show deputies laying out guns, magazines, extra ammunition and a ballistic vest in the parking lot as they moved quickly to secure what they described as a potential threat to the public. Two people were arrested on firearms-related charges at the scene.
What Deputies Say They Found
According to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, deputies first noticed a handgun concealed beneath the front passenger seat. With the occupants’ consent, they searched the vehicle and reported finding two loaded firearms in total: a Glock pistol and a Rock Island .38 Special revolver. Deputies also logged multiple magazines, additional ammunition and a ballistic vest. The traffic stop unfolded in the lot of the Hawthorne Avenue NE property listed as Motel 6 Salem.
Arrests And License Claims
The sheriff’s post identified the two people arrested as Gina Hilton and Sebastian Espinoza. Both were taken into custody on allegations tied to unlawful possession and concealment of firearms, the agency said. Deputies noted that claims either person held a valid concealed handgun license did not check out after the office reviewed licensing records. Booking information and court dates were not included in the post, with officials emphasizing that the priority at the scene was securing the weapons and reducing any risk to the public.
Legal Context
Under Oregon law, carrying a concealed firearm on a person or keeping a concealed, readily accessible handgun inside a vehicle is illegal in many situations. ORS 166.250 sets out what counts as unlawful possession of firearms, including having a concealed handgun in a vehicle under certain conditions. A valid concealed handgun license can create exceptions, as outlined in ORS 166.291, which covers who is eligible and how licenses are issued. Whether this case ends up as a misdemeanor or something more serious will depend on the specific facts, licensing status and any prior convictions.
Sheriff's Office Message
In its Facebook post, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office said it “remains committed to proactive enforcement efforts that enhance public safety and reduce risk of gun-related violence.” The agency said deputies moved quickly to secure the firearms and ballistic vest to head off any potential threat to the surrounding community. The investigation remains active, and officials have not said whether additional charges could follow.
How To Report Tips
Anyone with information related to the incident is asked to contact the Marion County Sheriff’s Office through its website or tip line. Contact details and reporting options are available at the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. The agency’s post did not release booking photos or list upcoming court dates.
