A traffic stop for a suspended license on Main Street in Danville, New Hampshire turned into a sprawling weapons and explosives seizure Saturday, after police say they found an assault-style rifle stashed under the driver's seat of a Jeep Cherokee — and then discovered an object believed to be a hand grenade inside the driver's home. Joseph Parsons, 46, now faces eight felony counts after the search of his vehicle and residence turned up rifles, ammunition, body armor and suspected drugs, according to police.
A Radar Stop Turns Into a Felony Weapons Case
The stop began Saturday, when a Danville K9 officer was conducting radar operations on Main Street and stopped Parsons driving a Jeep Cherokee, according to a Facebook post detailing the department's account. As officers questioned Parsons, they learned he had active warrants out of Florida, and the discovery alerted officers to his criminal history. Parsons is also a convicted felon, according to NBC Boston, which first reported details of the arrest.
During the stop, police located an assault-style rifle inside a bag tucked under the driver's seat, per the outlet's reporting. That discovery, combined with Parsons' felon status, gave investigators reason to believe more firearms could be waiting at his Danville residence. Parsons was arrested at the scene and taken to Rockingham County Jail, where he was held on preventative detention.
Search Warrants Uncover an Arsenal — and a Grenade
Police secured the vehicle and Parsons' residence while a search warrant was obtained. Before entering the home, Danville police deployed K9 Crue to sweep and clear the residence for hidden occupants, receiving assistance from the Kingston Police Department, the Sandown Police Department, and the Rockingham County Attorney's Office, the department's Facebook post states.
The search of the residence recovered multiple assault-style rifles, additional rifle components, large quantities of ammunition, and numerous loaded rifle magazines, the outlet's report notes. Investigators also found body armor, tactical equipment, and suspected controlled substances believed to include heroin, cocaine, psychedelic mushrooms and several pills, which were seized for further testing. A separate search of Parsons' Jeep turned up additional body armor and rifle components.
The most alarming find came when police located an object believed to be a hand grenade inside the home. Officers immediately exited the residence and established a perimeter, per the same account. The New Hampshire State Police bomb squad was contacted and ultimately deemed the grenade safe before it was removed from the residence and taken as evidence.
Charges and Legal Exposure Under New Hampshire Law
Parsons was charged with four counts of being a felon in possession of a dangerous weapon and four counts of drug possession. Police said additional charges may be filed as the investigation continues, which remains active.
Under New Hampshire RSA 159:3, anyone previously convicted of a felony against a person or property, or a felony drug offense, is barred from owning, possessing or controlling any firearm or dangerous weapon, according to the New Hampshire General Court. A conviction under that statute is a Class B felony carrying one to seven years in state prison and fines up to $4,000 per count, according to Urban EDC, meaning Parsons' four weapons counts alone carry significant potential prison exposure. Separately, New Hampshire's Controlled Drug Act classifies unauthorized possession of controlled substances as a Class B felony punishable by up to seven years in prison and fines up to $25,000 per count for a first offense, per Naro Law. Parsons was held on preventative detention.
A K9 With a Track Record in a Small Border Town
K9 Crue is identified in the available account. The available account provides no further details about K9 Crue's history.
Danville Police operates in Danville — the same community where Corporal Capsalis intercepted Parsons' Jeep — about 10 miles north of the Massachusetts border, according to the Town of Danville. It's a modest department for a town that just walked away with one of the more dramatic weapons seizures the region has seen. Key questions remain open, including where the military-style hardware and grenade came from, whether federal authorities will get involved, and what specific prior felony convictions triggered Parsons' prohibited status. The case includes felon-in-possession charges.
