Dover man facing drug and firearms charges

DOVER, Del. – A Dover man is facing numerous drug and firearms charges after he was seen removing a firearm from his vehicle.

Shortly after 3 PM Monday, officers from the Dover Police Department and Delaware Probation and Parole were conducting surveillance in the area of Bay Tree Apartments, when they noticed 35-year-old James Rochester get out of his vehicle and take a firearm out of the trunk. Rochester then reportedly loaded the firearm and concealed it in his pants.

Officials took Rochester into custody, and a subsequent search of the vehicle led to the discovery of an additional two handguns, a shotgun, 8.8 grams of cocaine, and $1,830 in suspected drug proceeds.

Rochester faces numerous charges, including possession of firearm during commission of a felony, 4 counts of possession of firearm by person prohibited, 3 counts of possession of firearm by person prohibited (drugs in possession), 2 counts of possession of ammunition by person prohibited, possession of cocaine (tier 1 quantity with agg. factor), carry concealed deadly weapon, and drug paraphernalia.

He was committed to Sussex Correctional Institution in default of $250,200 cash bond.