2 Men Accused Of Having Loaded Handgun During Traffic Stop

HIGHLAND, NY — Two men were accused of having an illegal, loaded handgun after they were stopped for a traffic violation.

The New York State Police said, shortly after 11 p.m. Monday, a trooper patrolling Route 9W in Highland said he saw a 2020 Nissan Altima traveling north without a valid license plate.

The trooper stopped the car and identified the driver as Tashaun Simms, 24, of St. Helena Island, and the passenger as Andre Crosby, 19, of the city of Newburgh.

Police said Simms was driving with a suspended license, and there was a warrant for his arrest from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority Police.

He was taken into custody.

Crosby, according to authorities, had a suspended New York driver's permit.

During an inventory search of the car before it was towed from the location, the trooper said a loaded Taurus 9mm handgun with a magazine containing 10 additional ammunition rounds was discovered.

Simms and Crosby were both charged with second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, a felony, and possession of a large capacity magazine, a misdemeanor.

They were both arraigned in in the Town of Lloyd Court.

Crosby was released on his own recognizance. Simms was sent to jail on $5,000 bail, $10,000 bond or $20,000 unsecured bond.

Both men are due back in the Town of Lloyd Court.