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Shortly before 1 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 7, troopers on patrol in Hampden County were on patrol on Route 91 in Springfield when they spotted a gray BMW X3 with expired license plates, prompting a traffic stop.
During the subsequent stop, police said that the driver, Chicopee resident James Douchette, age 42, informed troopers that he did not have a license when asked for one, and it was confirmed that his license was suspended.
According to state police, further investigation found that Douchette had an active felony warrant out for his arrest and he was taken into custody without incident.
While investigating the BMW, police said that they seized a Drago 7.62mm rifle loaded with a total of 30 rounds of ammunition and a Glock 22 loaded with a total of 15 rounds of ammunition.
Investigators noted that the serial number on the rifle was defaced and unreadable at the scene. Douchette also does not have a license to carry firearms.
Douchette was charged with:
- Five counts of possession of a large-capacity feeding device;
- Possession of ammunition without an FID card;
- Two counts of carrying a large-capacity firearm;
- Two counts of improper storage of a large-capacity firearm;
- Defacing a firearm serial number;
- Two counts of illegal possession of a firearm;
- Operation of a license suspended for OUI;
- Operating an unregistered motor vehicle.
Bail was set at $50,000. Douchette was transported to the Hampden County House of Correction pending his arraignment.
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