Traffic stop leads to OUI arrest and gun seizure in W. Springfield

WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – A traffic stop on Route 5 in West Springfield led to the arrest of a local man for operating under the influence and the discovery of an illegal firearm.

On Saturday, June 22, at approximately 9:35 p.m., State Police were patrolling Route 5 when they noticed a red Jeep Patriot with no operational license plate lighting. Upon closer inspection, officers found that the Connecticut license plate returned no record from the RMV.

Police initiated a traffic stop and approached the driver, identified as 36-year-old Jamal Rodriguez Francis of West Springfield. Francis was unable to provide valid documentation for the vehicle or a driver’s license. Police also observed an open container of alcohol inside the vehicle and noted signs of impairment from Francis.

After conducting field sobriety tests and a Preliminary Breath Test (PBT), which confirmed impairment, Francis was arrested.

While conducting an inventory of the vehicle before towing it, police discovered an unsecured and loaded Glock 23 handgun with a 13-round magazine tucked between the driver’s seat and the center console. Further investigation revealed that Francis did not have a license to carry a firearm.

Francis was brought to the Springfield Barracks for booking, fingerprinting, and photographing.

He was arraigned in Springfield District Court on multiple charges, including:

• OUI Liquor (Third Offense)
• Operation Of A Motor Vehicle With License Suspended For OUI
• OUI With Suspended License For OUI
• Possession Of A Firearm Without FID (Subsequent Offense)
• Possession Of A Large Capacity Feeding Device
• Carrying A Loaded Firearm
• Possession Of A Large Capacity Firearm During A Felony
• Firearm Violation With Three Prior Violent/Drug Crimes
• Improper Storage Of A Large Capacity Firearm
• Number Plate Violation
• Attaching Plates
• Unregistered Motor Vehicle
• Uninsured Motor Vehicle
• Open Container Of Alcohol In A Motor Vehicle

Local News

Springfield’s 11th annual Jazz and Roots Festival begins

Local artists create chalk sidewalk murals in downtown Springfield

Local Red Cross chapter helping those affected by Hurricane Beryl in Texas

Drowning deaths rise, teach your kids water safety

WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP.