Proactive patrol stops by the Frederick Police Department have resulted in multiple seizures of illegal firearms, including two “ghost guns.”
“The Frederick Police Department’s patrol division works diligently daily to keep illegal firearms off the streets and out of the hands of criminals,” said Lt. Matt Carrado, Patrol Division One Commander. “While the prevalence of ‘ghost guns’ in our community and others has become more common and concerning, our department devotes significant resources to investigations into illegal firearms and patrol efforts. Our officers are extremely well-trained in identifying signs of illegal firearm possession and their efforts in recent weeks have proven effective by getting several guns off the streets.”
Most recently, the Frederick Police Department established an overtime detail in the downtown area to help curb quality of life issues that have arisen through crowds gathering in the early morning hours.
On Aug. 7, at approximately 12:05 a.m., OFC Johnston performed a check of a parking lot in the 300 Block of N. Market Street while operating an unmarked patrol vehicle. While conducting the check, OFC Johnston observed three suspicious individuals around and inside a vehicle, and approached them on foot. OFC Johnston detected the smell of marijuana and one of the individuals began to approach OFC Johnston while talking on the phone. After telling the individuals they were being detained for the odor of marijuana, officers conducted a search of the vehicle, which was readily mobile, in accordance with the Carroll Doctrine.
During the search, officers located more than 30 grams of marijuana and a loaded 9 MM handgun. OFC Johnston then arrested two of the individuals, identified as Eric Joshua Cooper and Matthew D. Summerour-Stephensen. Summerour-Stephensen is prohibited from possessing a regulated firearm. The individuals were transported to the Frederick County Adult Detention Center for processing.
On Aug. 1, 2022 at approximately 6:10 p.m., OFC Deal conducted a patrol stop for a driver driving on a suspended license. During this stop, OFC Deal detected the smell of marijuana and later saw the offender, identified as Michael Zade Matthews, pass a bag to a passenger in the car. In a subsequent search of the vehicle, OFC located a loaded polymer 80 handgun, commonly referred to as a “ghost gun.”
On July 31, OFC Leishear conducted a patrol stop for a suspected driver on a suspended license. During this stop, OFC Leishear detected the odor of marijuana in the vehicle, and, with the car readily mobile, had probable cause to conduct a search of the vehicle. In this search, OFC Leishear determined the suspect, identified as Nieara Marquise Johnson, was illegally carrying and concealing a Glock 19 handgun in addition to driving on a suspended license.
These incidents followed another proactive stop in early July where officers arrested Leonard Morris for drug possession and illegal “ghost gun” charges.
As officers continue to execute proactive measures to eliminate illegal firearms from our community, we want to remind the community that they play a critical role in helping us accomplish this goal. If residents see something suspicious, we encourage them to say something by reporting it to the department’s non-emergency line at 301-600-2102.