Windsor Man Hauled Out Of Vehicle At Vernon Traffic Stop Involving Drugs, Guns

VERNON, CT — Two men — including one from Windsor — are facing drug and gun charges after a traffic stop in Vernon Friday night, police said.

The scene materialized at 10:15 p.m., when Vernon police stopped a motor vehicle for "erratic operation" on Route 83.

Two, 22-year-old men were inside the vehicle and marijuana residue was in clear view on the driver's lap, according to an incident report.

While police were administering a field sobriety test to the driver, identified as Windsor resident Masai Lewis Johnson, the passenger, identified as Vernon resident Nahzai Shaundel Watkins, began having a "medical emergency," according to an incident report. Johnson then ran back to the vehicle and tried to jump through the passenger compartment in an effort to get to the steering wheel and drive away, according to an incident report.

He was quickly removed from the vehicle, according to an incident report.

Police dog Franco was then employed and Franco uncovered a stash or drugs and guns that included:

• 18 ounces of Marijuana packaged for sale
• 10 pressed fentanyl pills
• scales and packaging material
• 2 loaded firearms, one with a switch assist and high capacity magazine

Watkins was charged with:

• Illegal possession of an assault weapon
• Carrying a pistol without a permit
• Illegal possession of a high-capacity magazine
• Illegal possession of a gun without a serial number
• Illegal possession of a weapon in a motor vehicle
• Possession of a cannabis plant
• Possession of a controlled substance
• Possession with the intent to sell
• The use of drug paraphernalia

Johnson was charged with:

• Failure to drive in the proper lane
• Illegal possession of an assault weapon
• Interfering with police
• Illegal possession of a gun without a serial number
• Illegal possession of a weapon in a motor vehicle
• Carrying a pistol without a permit
• Illegal possession of a high-capacity magazine
• Possession of a cannabis plant
• Possession of a controlled substance
• Possession with the intent to sell
• Driving without a license

Both were held over the weekend on $350,000 bonds and were to appear in Rockville Superior Court on Monday.