Man Arrested after Pulling Gun on a Trooper in Tewksbury: State Police

TEWKSBURY, MA — Two people were arrested early Saturday morning in Tewksbury during a traffic stop in which a male suspect allegedly pulled a gun on a state trooper.

Joshua Jefferson, 32, of North Billerica allegedly brandished a handgun after being removed from a rental car which neither him nor the driver—Felisha Randolph, 22, of Westford— were authorized to drive, according to a Massachusetts State Police Facebook post. Trooper Dan Purtell of the K9 unit was able to disarm Jefferson and bring him to the ground after a struggle.

State police also allege that Jefferson continue to resist arrest until Purtell threatened to release his K9 partner Neko, and was later placed into custody.

Several bags of suspected heroin and cocaine were found in his pocket along with cash. Purtell later deployed Neko who discovered a bag of suspected cocaine wedged underneath the seat.

Both Jefferson and Randolph were placed under arrest.

Jefferson was charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, unlawful possession of a firearm without a license, possession of ammunition without an FID card, possessing a firearm in the commission of a felony, possession with intent to distribute a class A substance, possession with intent to distribute a class B substance, resisting arrest and failure to wear a seatbelt, police say.

Randolph was arrested on charges of a vehicle operator refusing to identify self to police, operating after a license suspension, use of a vehicle without authority, two default warrants for her arrest and speeding.

The two were arraigned in Lowell District Court Monday.

Editor's Note: The information above was derived from the Massachusetts State Police Department. It does not indicate nor imply a conviction.