Loaded Gun, Drugs Found Following Binghamton Traffic Stop

A Broome County man faces felony weapon possession counts after the vehicle he was driving was pulled over in Binghamton for an equipment violation.

Authorities say 32-year-old Martin Matias Jr. of Nineveh was stopped by a Broome County sheriff's deputy on Downs Avenue near Glenwood Avenue around 3:30 a.m. Thursday.

The deputy determined improper license plates were on the car. The vehicle was unregistered, uninspected and uninsured.

A search of the car turned up a loaded .22 caliber handgun, methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

Investigators say Matias cannot legally possess a handgun. They say he was arrested without incident.

Matias was charged with two counts of criminal possession of a weapon. He also was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance and criminal possession of a hypodermic instrument.

Matias was arraigned in Binghamton city court and sent to Broome County Jail without bail.

Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com

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