MPD traffic stop finds 4 guns reported stolen from another police agency

Three men arrested during a traffic stop on Nov. 9 at 1:36 p.m. in southern Maricopa are facing gun and drug charges.

Frank A. Chavarria was stopped by police at State Routes 347 and 84 for driving 73 mph in a 50 mph zone. A search of the vehicle turned up four firearms reported stolen from the City of Coolidge Police Department, according to Maricopa police.

Two passengers, Kenneth Ray Barnett Jr., 25, and Adam Noel Fontaine Jr., also were arrested, police said.

Chavarria allegedly told police the four weapons “belonged to him and was currently in physical control of,” according to a probable cause statement.

Police said three of the guns were found near Barnett’s seat: a Smith & Wesson M&P .40-caliber handgun, apparently slid under the front passenger seat, and Ruger .22-caliber and Marlin bolt-action .22-caliber handguns found in the rear hatch area of the vehicle.

Chavarria was charged with possession of stolen property, possession of drug possession and criminal speed, police said.

Barnett was allegedly found in possession of drug paraphernalia, according to the probable cause statement. The vehicle search discovered a blue plastic straw containing a crystal-like substance in a small coin container near the gear shifter, police said.

He was issued his Miranda warnings and remained silent, police said. His cell phone and shoes were seized as evidence and impounded.

Barnett was taken into custody on an outstanding Pinal County Superior Court warrant on charges of possession of burglary tools. He also was charged with one count of prohibited possession of weapons and one count of drug paraphernalia possession, according to police.

The vehicle search discovered the fourth handgun, a Jimenez Arms 9mm pistol, near Fontaine’s seat, and a glass pipe that tested positive for methamphetamine, police said.

A search of Fontaine’s criminal history showed prior felony arrests and convictions, according to police, who said he was issued his Miranda warnings and remained silent. His cell phone and shoes were seized as evidence and impounded.

Fontaine was arrested on a Maricopa County Superior Court warrant for probation violation and charged with one count of prohibited possession of weapons and one count of drug paraphernalia possession, the probable cause statement said.

Chavarria, Barnett and Fontaine were booked into Pinal County Jail. All three men remain in custody with court appearances set for Tuesday, Nov. 17.