A Webster man was arrested when a loaded firearm was discovered underneath the driver’s seat during a traffic stop.
A deputy checked the registration of a green Ford F150 in Lake Panasoffkee at 7:48 p.m. Wednesday, according to an arrest report from the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office. He learned that the registered owner, 48-year-old Anthony Dewayne Parish, had a suspended driver’s license for failure to pay traffic fines. The truck was also pulling a trailer with a tag that expired on Dec. 7.
The deputy then conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle at County Roads 470 and 485. Upon making contact with Parish and the front seat passenger, Parish stated he was not aware of his driver’s license being suspended, the report said.
While the deputy finished the traffic stop paperwork, a K-9 unit arrived on scene and conducted a free-air sniff around the outside of the vehicle. The K-9 alerted to the vehicle, but the occupants denied having any narcotics inside. A search was still conducted, leading to the discovery of a holstered firearm underneath the driver’s seat, the report said.
A criminal history search of Parish revealed he was a 10-time convicted felon in Florida. A clemency search later confirmed his rights to own or possess a firearm were never restored, the report said.
Further examination of the firearm determined it to be a 9mm Keltec P-11. It was fully loaded with nine rounds in the magazine and one in the chamber, the report said.
Parish was subsequently arrested for possession of firearm by convicted felon. He was verbally warned about the expired registration. He was transported to Sumter County Jail with bond set at $50,000.