
On Thursday, November 9, 2023, Trooper Erick Zelayandia was conducting patrol on Route 291 in the city of Springfield. Trooper Zelayandia’s attention was drawn to a Honda Accord travelling in the right lane. Trooper Zelayandia conducted a random check of the vehicle’s registration, and discovered the it had expired and held a non-renewable status.
Trooper Zelayandia was given identification by the driver and the passenger of the vehicle. A check of the passenger’s criminal history revealed that he, SIMMIE THOMAS, 27, of Springfield, had an active warrant for his arrest originating out of Springfield District Court.
Trooper Zelayandia placed THOMAS under arrest for the warrant and seated him in the rear of his cruiser. At this point, Trooper Zelayandia called for a tow of the vehicle and removed the driver of the vehicle.
Trooper Zelayandia conducted an inventory of the vehicle’s contents in preparation for the tow. Underneath the passenger seat of the vehicle, where THOMAS had been sitting, a loaded 9mm Glock 19 handgun was located with a magazine inserted containing 17 rounds.
Trooper Zelayandia returned to his cruiser in order to have THOMAS produce his license to carry a firearm, which he could not. The driver of the vehicle also did not have a valid license to carry a firearm and was summoned to face charges at Springfield District Court.
With an active warrant, and no license to carry a firearm, THOMAS was transported to the Springfield Barracks to be booked, photographed, and fingerprinted.
THOMAS was arraigned at Springfield District Court on charges of:
1. Unlicensed Possession Of A Firearm;
2. Possession Of Ammunition Without FID;
3. Possession Of A Large Capacity Feeding Device; and
4. Improper Storage Of A Firearm.