Man sentenced on drug and gun charges in Sussex Co.

A Salisbury man arrested on drug and gun charges during a Laurel traffic stop in May pleaded guilty and was sentenced in Sussex County on Friday morning.

According to Delaware Department of Justice officials, Orville Nichols of Salisbury pleaded guilty to carrying a concealed deadly weapon and possession of drug paraphernalia. Nichols was then sentenced to a year of probation for the charge of carrying a concealed deadly weapon, and a $300 fine for the drug paraphernalia charge. Officials say, Nicholas was also required to forfeit the items taken, and undergo a substance abuse evaluation.

Nichols was stopped for suspicion of using his cell phone while driving back in May. During the stop, an officer reportedly discovered drug paraphernalia in the center console of the vehicle.

Police say Nichols told the officers of a handgun in the car during the stop. Investigators reportedly discovered Nichols was prohibited from carrying a firearm due to a past felony conviction in Maryland