What began as a routine loud-exhaust complaint in Fairview early Friday ended with two arrests and a loaded, homemade handgun off the street, according to police. Officers who pulled over a 2015 black Honda Civic said the driver smelled of alcohol and was taken into custody on suspicion of driving while intoxicated after field sobriety tests. The passenger was found carrying what police describe as a loaded 9mm plastic handgun that had allegedly been modified to fire automatically. One man was processed and released at the scene, while the other was taken to the Bergen County Jail on multiple weapons charges.
According to Daily Voice, Deputy Chief John Pierotti said officers responded to Kamena and Ninth streets at approximately 4:03 a.m. after a report of a vehicle idling with a loud exhaust. The driver was identified as Marlon A. Roquel-Rojas, 20, of Union City, and the passenger as Kevin D. Dominguez-Pilar, 22, of West New York. Pierotti told Daily Voice that the passenger appeared nervous and tried to hide something in a fanny pack. When officers searched him, they found a loaded 9mm homemade plastic handgun "ready to fire," and Dominguez-Pilar was charged with possession of a homemade firearm, unlawful possession of a handgun without a permit, and possession of an assault firearm after allegedly modifying it to fire automatically.
Homemade Guns Complicate Investigations
Federal data and gun-safety researchers say privately made and 3D-printed firearms are showing up more often at crime scenes, which makes tracing and regulation tougher for investigators. The ATF's National Firearms Commerce and Trafficking Assessment reports that privately made firearms are being encountered with increasing frequency by law enforcement, and groups monitoring recoveries have documented sharp rises in 3D-printed and plastic-frame guns. For context on the trend, see ATF and Everytown.
Charges And Next Steps
Per Daily Voice, Roquel-Rojas was processed on the DWI charge and released, while Dominguez-Pilar was lodged in the Bergen County Jail pending prosecution. Under New Jersey law, possessing an un-serialized or privately made firearm and converting a weapon to fire automatically can lead to serious felony charges and mandatory penalties. Legal summaries note that unlawful possession of a handgun or a machine gun can be charged as second- or third-degree offenses with multi-year prison terms and significant fines. See LegalClarity for an overview.
