A traffic stop in North Charleston led to the arrest of a Summerville man after officers discovered an illegal weapon inside his vehicle, according to police.
Traffic Stop Leads to Investigation
Officers with the North Charleston Police Department’s Gang Intervention Team conducted a traffic stop around 3:30 p.m. Thursday after observing a vehicle run a stop sign at the intersection of Bennett Yard Road and Dorchester Road.
Police also noted the vehicle’s window tint appeared darker than allowed by law.
K-9 Alert Prompts Search
After approaching the vehicle, officers reported smelling marijuana and requested a K-9 unit.
A police dog conducted a free-air sniff and alerted to the presence of drugs, providing probable cause for a search of the vehicle.
Illegal Weapon Discovered
During the investigation, the driver, identified as 23-year-old Deon Daekwon Geathers, told officers there was a firearm inside the car.
Officers said they found a gun on the driver’s seat and an illegal machine gun conversion device in the center console.
Arrest and Charges
Geathers was taken into custody and charged with possession of a machine gun.
He was transported to the Al Cannon Detention Center for booking.
Ongoing Enforcement Efforts
Police say the arrest highlights ongoing enforcement efforts targeting illegal weapons and drug activity in the area.
The case remains under investigation.
