An Annapolis man was arrested after police allegedly found drug paraphernalia and illegal firearms and ammunition in his car during a traffic stop in Westminster.
Joshua Devin Heimberger, 32, of the 1000 block of Broadview Drive, is facing four misdemeanor charges — possession of paraphernalia, illegal possession of ammunition, illegal possession of a firearm, and is charged with having a handgun in the vehicle — according to electronic court records.
He is being held without bail after a Monday bail review.
According to the statement of probable cause, a deputy of the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office was patrolling and conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle traveling eastbound on Md. 140 near Old Westminster Pike after observing the vehicle traveling at a higher rate of speed than the posted 50 mph zone.
The deputy made contact with the driver, identified as Heimberger. While speaking with Heimberger, the deputy observed multiple indicators of a potential controlled dangerous substance and/or criminal activity, according to charging documents.
Upon conducting a search of the vehicle, the deputy discovered a clear color gel capsule with what appeared to be a white powdery residue in the center console, suspected to be heroin, and Heimberger was placed under arrest.
Prior to conducting the vehicle search, an assisting deputy was advised by Heimberger that there was an upper portion of an AR-15 rifle in the trunk of his vehicle, according to charging documents. The responding deputy conducted a search of the trunk and discovered three upper portions of a different AR-15 and a large amount of ammunition.
He also found a semi-automatic handgun, black in color, according to charging documents. The handgun was not loaded, did not bear a serial number, and the slide was removed from the frame, indicating that it was a working firearm.
The deputy contacted the Maryland Gun Center to obtain information of whether Heimberger was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition and was informed that Heimberger had been convicted of a disqualifying crime, neglect of a minor, which prohibited him from being in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
A trial is scheduled for March 26 in Carroll County District Court.