Jeremy P. Howard, 48, of Halfmoon was taken into custody by the Saratoga Springs Police Department on Friday after a traffic check.
Around 11:30 p.m., police say they got a complaint about a car leaving the scene of a one-car collision near South Broadway in Saratoga Springs. The caller informed the police that the car had crossed the road’s median and was still traveling south.
Once they located the car on Route 9 South near Crescent Avenue, they pulled it over in a parking lot beside the road.
While looking into the car Howard was driving, authorities say they found evidence of illegal conduct, including drug paraphernalia. Additionally, they dispatched a K9 unit to the area, and the unit successfully warned officers about the presence of drugs in the car.
According to authorities, 6.1 grams of suspected cocaine, drug paraphernalia, $1,980, and a shotgun were found during the car search.
Howard was taken into custody and accused of the following:
- Third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance (class B felony)
- Fourth-degree criminal possession of a narcotic drug (class C felony)
- Fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon (class A misdemeanor)
- Leaving the scene of an accident (traffic violation)
- Failure to keep right (traffic violation)
According to the New York State Penal Law, Howard is not permitted to own a firearm, according to police.
Howard was freed without bond to appear at a later time after being charged in Saratoga Springs City Court.