Traffic Stop Leads To 5 Arrested On Felony Gun Charges

DEERPARK, NY — A traffic stop ended with five people, including three juveniles, in handcuffs.

New York State Police say that on Wedneday, at 4:47 p.m., members of the Troop F Community Stabilization Unit (CSU) pulled over a 2006 Lexus traveling east on I-84 in the Town of Deerpark, for traffic violations.

Troopers stopped the car and identified the driver as 23-year-old Jaykris Vargas, of Middletown. A search of the vehicle led to the recovery of a loaded semi-automatic handgun.

The vehicle was also occupied by four male passengers: 19-year-old Paris Hinds, of Middletown, and three juveniles ranging from 16 years old to 17 years old.

All five occupants of the vehicle were arrested and charged with felony second degree criminal possession of a weapon and felony criminal possession of a firearm.

Vargas and Hinds were arraigned in the City of Middletown Court, while the three juveniles were arraigned in the Orange County Youth Court.