Fall River couple charged with bevy of firearms violations after traffic stop
FALL RIVER, Mass. (WLNE) — A traffic stop resulted in the seizure of three illegal firearms and assorted ammunition, according to Fall River police.
Detectives observed a Nissan Murano on Pleasant Street traveling at a high rate of speed Monday at 9:45 p.m.
The detectives said they followed the car into the Lower Highlands neighborhood as the driver committed several infractions.
Jose Fernando Cortez, 31, told police during the stop that he was the subject of multiple active warrants.
He was detained and informed police that there was a firearm inside the car.
A 9mm handgun with a 12-round magazine containing ten rounds was found, followed by a second 12-round magazine containing 11 rounds, according to police.
The car was found to be registered to Cortez’s girlfriend, 34-year-old Margarita Mercado Matos.
Detectives learned that Mercado Matos had a second firearm at their Green Street Heritage Heights home.
She arrived at the scene and detectives learned that she did not have a Massachusetts license to carry a firearm, according to FRPD.
A warrant was obtained for the residence, and police said that the search produced:
- A Glock 48 9mm handgun with a 10-round magazine containing eight rounds
- A Smith & Wesson SD9VE 9mm handgun
- Two additional loaded 10-round magazines
- Three 16-round magazines
- A box of 5.56 ammunition (20 rounds)
- A box of 9mm ammunition (25 rounds)
- Two loose 9mm rounds
Both Cortez and Mercado Matos are facing multiple charges following the searches.
Cortez is charged with possession of a large-capacity firearm, carrying a firearm without a license, possession of a large-capacity feeding device and others.
Mercado Matos is charged with possession of a large-capacity firearm (two counts), possession of a large-capacity feeding device (four counts), improper storage of a large-capacity firearm near a minor, reckless endangerment of a child (three counts) and others.
