Traffic stop in Salisbury leads to handgun charges for one

A Princess Anne man is being held without bond, after Authorities say he resisted arrest during a traffic stop in Salisbury.

On Tuesday, just before 5:00 PM, a Wicomico County Sheriff’s Deputy says they stopped a vehicle driven by 31-year-old Joshua Williams on West Road at Boundary Street, for speeding. The Deputy reportedly smelled marijuana coming from the vehicle, and asked Williams to get out of the vehicle. Williams apparently got out, but then started moving away, as if about to flee.

According to the report, the Deputy tried to grab Williams’ arm as he was moving away, but Williams swung at the Deputy with his other arm, causing a struggle to break out. The Deputy says they then physically struggled with Williams, while attempting to get him into handcuffs.

A search of the vehicle reportedly revealed a substantial amount of marijuana, some of which was apparently in a Maxwell Coffee can with a false bottom, along with Clorox and Comet containers that had hidden compartments and a Monster Energy Drink that concealed a hidden compartment when the top came off. There was also reportedly heroin, and a loaded Taurus 9mm semi-automatic handgun in the vehicle.

Authorities say Williams is prohibited from having a handgun, because of a previous criminal conviction. Williams was charged with possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute, possession of heroin, resisting arrest, handgun in vehicle, possession of a handgun by a prohibited person, and possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime. He is now being held at the Wicomico County Detention Center, without bond.

The Sheriff’s Office says this is second incident this week in the county, where a Deputy found an illegally possessed loaded handgun.