'Guilty': Jury Convicts NC Driver Who Had 2 Illegal Semiautomatics, Large-Capacity Mags During Traffic Stop

PEEKSKILL, NY — A jury has returned a guilty verdict in the case of an out-of-state driver who learned a thing or two about New York's relatively tough gun laws.

Westchester County District Attorney Susan Cacace announced on Monday that a North Carolina man was convicted of several weapons possession charges on Friday after a jury trial.

According to the DA, 43-year-old Justin Arjani, of Rocky Point, North Carolina, was convicted of two felony counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon; two felony counts of third-degree criminal possession of a weapon; and several traffic infractions.

A sentencing hearing is scheduled for April 22.

On March 9, 2025, Arjani was driving a 2017 Mercedes-Benz in the area of Highland Ave. and Orchard St., in the City of Peekskill.

A Peekskill Police Department patrol officer noticed that the Mercedes did not have a front license plate. The officer also noticed that the numbers and letters on the rear, temporary North Carolina license plate were obstructed by a plastic covering.

After conducting a traffic stop, the police officer found that Arjani did not have a valid driver's license, and also had an active bench warrant.

Arjani was arrested, and during an inventory search of the vehicle, police found a semiautomatic pistol with 15 rounds of 9mm ammunition in the magazine, as well as a second semiautomatic pistol with 13 rounds of 9mm ammunition in the magazine.

The DA noted that Arjani did not have a license to possess either firearm.

"Police officers conducting simple traffic stops put themselves in enormous peril, as exemplified by this case, where the defendant, after being pulled over, was found to be in possession of two loaded, unlicensed firearms," DA Cacace said.

"That the guns were operable and loaded with large-capacity magazines is especially concerning," Cacace added. "Thanks to the officer's intuition and quick-thinking, two illegal guns were taken off the street, and the people of Peekskill are safer today for it."