Gun With High-Capacity Magazine Seized During Traffic Stop: PD

SILVER SPRING, MD — Montgomery County police arrested a teenager and seized a handgun with a loaded 50-round drum magazine during a traffic stop Saturday morning in Silver Spring.

At approximately 12:38 a.m., a county alcohol task force officer tried to conduct a traffic stop of a Honda Accord at Georgia and Thayer avenues, police said. The Honda, which briefly came to a stop at the intersection, continued again until it reached Georgia and Silver Spring avenues.

Police said the officer approached the vehicle and spotted a handgun with a high-capacity magazine underneath the driver's seat. The officer ordered the driver — later identified as 19-year-old Kejuan Pope, of Upper Marlboro — to stay still with his hands on the steering wheel.

Pope was arrested once backup arrived, authorities said. Upon searching the Honda, officers said they recovered a handgun with a loaded 50-round drum magazine and marijuana.

According to authorities, Pope was driving on a suspended license.

The 19-year-old from Prince George's County was charged with offenses to include possession of a firearm by a person under 21 years of age, possession of a controlled dangerous substance, and driving on a suspended driver's license.

This isn't the first time Pope has allegedly driven on a suspended license or failed to comply with police during a traffic stop.

Less than 24 hours earlier, Pope was charged with driving on a suspended license in Prince George's County, court records reveal. In September, he was stopped by police in Anne Arundel County and charged with driving on a suspended license. He was also charged with driving on a suspended license in August.

Seven months earlier, he was charged with driving on a suspended license, and trying to elude police in an official vehicle by failing to stop and by fleeing on foot.