NICE >> What started as a traffic stop ended as an arrest for the illegal possession of a firearm and driving under the influence of one Nice man on Wednesday.
Jose Gustavo Mena III, 43, was caught by a Lake County Sheriff’s Deputy driving while on his cellphone in the area of Liberty Street and Buckingham Way during the evening hours.
The deputy followed the vehicle, a black BMW, and noticed the driver moving around and leaning toward the passenger side. He was then stopped on Highway 20 and Butte Street.
There, the deputy smelled a strong odor of marijuana coming from inside the car. Mena told the deputy the BMW belonged to a family member who smoked. He was then ordered to step outside, where the deputy later determined Mena was under the influence of the controlled substance.
He was placed under arrest after that.
During a search of the vehicle, the deputy located three marijuana cigarettes, a lock pick set, and a loaded 9mm handgun in the pocket located on the back of the passenger seat. The handgun was not registered.
Mena was transported to the Lake County Jail where he was booked for several felonies including carrying a loaded, concealed firearm and driving under the influence.
It was also determined that Mena had a felony arrest warrant out of Texas for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Mena remains in custody at the Lake County Jail with his bail set at $50,000.
