North Liberty man arrested on weapons charges after traffic stop

Hunter
7/17/19

A North Liberty man was taken into custody after a traffic stop revealed that he had drugs and a loaded weapon in the vehicle he was riding in.

According to arrest reports, 38-year-old Charlie Pitchford of Jaylen Lane was a passenger in a vehicle registered to his wife that failed to stop for a sign at the corner of Taylor Drive and Highway 6 after 1am Saturday. The vehicle’s driver allegedly was also speeding, going consistently at 55 to 60 miles per hour in 35, 45 and 55 mile per hour zones.

The two occupants made what were described as “furtive movements” toward the center console several times before the car stopped, prompting the officer to request a K9. A search of the vehicle found about a gram of marijuana in the center console, with a loaded .45 caliber handgun under Pitchford’s seat.

Pitchford has several felony convictions and is therefore prohibited from possessing firearms.

He’s bee charged with 3rd or subsequent possession of a controlled substance, carrying weapons, and control of a firearm as a felon. If convicted on the charges, he could be sentenced to up to 12 years in prison.