July 30, 2026 – Lakewood Sheriff's Station officials report that before most of the community was awake, Lakewood deputies conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle with expired registration.

During the stop, deputies discovered the driver had an outstanding warrant. A subsequent search of the vehicle led to the recovery of a loaded privately manufactured firearm, commonly referred to as a “ghost gun,” from the center console. The firearm had a round chambered and was readily accessible.

The suspect was determined to be a convicted felon and prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition. The suspect was arrested for the following violations:

Penal Code 29800(a)(1) – Felon in possession of a firearm
Penal Code 30305(a)(1) – Prohibited person in possession of ammunition
Penal Code 25400(a)(1) – Carrying a concealed firearm in a vehicle
Penal Code 25850(a) – Carrying a loaded firearm in public
Penal Code 23920(b) – Possession of a firearm with an altered or removed serial number

The driver was also cited for Vehicle Code 4000(a)(1) (expired registration), and the vehicle was impounded.

A simple traffic stop resulted in the arrest of a wanted suspect and the recovery of an illegal loaded firearm.

Great work by our deputies for proactively keeping illegal weapons off our streets and helping make our community safer.

Source & photos: Lakewood Sheriff's Station