ROCKINGHAM — A young driver was allegedly caught with a stolen gun during a traffic stop early Tuesday morning.
According to the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, patrol deputies pulled over 18-year-old Jariah Alaysi Kersey of Rockingham on Biltmore Driver around 1:36 a.m. for an unspecified traffic violation.
Kersey reportedly told deputies she did not have her driver’s license with her, so gave them her information. After checking with the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles, deputies reportedly discovered that Kersey’s license had been revoked.
Deputies reportedly smelled marijuana in the vehicle while talking to Kersey and an underage passenger and Kersey reportedly told them that they had smoked in a yard before driving.
Kersey and the passenger were then told to get out of the vehicle for a search, which turned up a 9mm handgun — that was reported stolen to the Rockingham Police Department — under the front seat, according to the sheriff’s office.
Deputies charged Kersey with possession of a stolen firearm and carrying a concealed gun. She was also issued citations for driving while license revoked and other unspecified traffic violations, according to the sheriff’s office.
Kersey was reportedly taken before a magistrate and released on a written promise to appear in court. The unnamed juvenile was reportedly released to a relative at the scene.
As of 1 p.m. Tuesday, the only charge listed with the N.C. Court System, the only charge listed was for the stolen firearm. She is scheduled to appear in court Aug. 24.
All defendants facing criminal charges are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
