Sault Ste. Marie Police say a loaded handgun was seized from a pickup truck spotted driving down Chambers Avenue with a snowblower tied to the bumper.
Officers were called to the area at around 11:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 6.
They caught up with the vehicle in the 200 block of Dacey Road.
Officers identified the driver and knew he had suspended license and they had a warrant for his arrest, said police in a news release.
Police also noticed several empty alcohol containers in the passenger seat of the truck.
A search of the vehicle then turned up a loaded handgun that had its serial number tampered with, a pellet gun and ammunition.
Fernand Evely, 44, is charged with:
- Careless Use of Firearm, Weapon, Prohibited Device, or Ammunition x2
- Carrying Concealed Weapon
- Failure to Comply with Release Order – Other Than to Attend Court x3
- Knowledge of Unauthorized Possession of Firearm
- Occupant of Motor Vehicle Knowing There Was Prohibited or Restricted Weapon
- Possession of Firearm Knowing Serial Number Has Been Tampered With
- Possession of Loaded Prohibited or Restricted Firearm
- Possession of Weapon for Dangerous Purpose
- Unauthorized Possession of Prohibited or Restricted Firearm
- Failure to Attend Court After Having Appeared
- Driving While Under Suspension (under the Highway Traffic Act)
- Entire Plate Not Plainly Visible (under the Highway Traffic Act)
- No Clear View to Front (under the Highway Traffic Act)
- Drive Motor Vehicle, No Currently Validated Permit (under the Highway Traffic Act)
- Driving Motor Vehicle with Liquor Readily Available (under the Liquor Licence and Control Act)
None of the allegations have been tested in court and Evely is considered innocent unless proven guilty.