AHOSKIE – A Virginia man with a felony arrest to his credit was charged here Saturday for illegally possessing a firearm and for possession of marijuana.

Melvin Lorenzo Barnes, 28, of 22270 Thomaston Road, Newsoms, VA, was arrested by Ahoskie Police Sgt. Michael Kellet following a routine traffic stop on Church Street. Barnes was placed in the Hertford County Jail under a $30,000 bond and made his first court appearance on Tuesday.

Ahoskie Police Chief Troy Fitzhugh said Barnes was stopped after he and a front seat passenger in his vehicle were observed not wearing their seat belts.

After performing the traffic stop, Kellet and Patrolman Jesse Mizelle, joined by the APD K-9, approached the vehicle.

“The K-9 alerted the officers to the presence of narcotics,” Fitzhugh said. “A subsequent search of vehicle revealed the weapon, a semi automatic handgun found in center console which was loaded.”

The handgun was seized, as was less than one-half ounce of marijuana.

Barnes was charged with felonious possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, carrying a concealed weapon and simple possession of marijuana.

Fitzhugh commended both officers, including the K-9, for doing a good job.

“Sometimes just a simple traffic stop can turn into something more than meets the eye,” Fitzhugh said. “Our officers are trained to see more than just what’s directly in front of them.”