State Police Bust Man Driving In Western Mass Construction Zone With Drugs, Rifles, Ghost Guns

A man driving in a blocked-off construction zone in Western Massachusetts is facing a host of charges after being busted with drugs and illegal weapons during a State Police traffic stop.

Massachusetts State Police seized weapons, drugs, and cash during a traffic stop.
Photo Credit: *Massachusetts State Police*

Zak Failla

08/26/2021 10:00 a.m.

State Police Trooper Casey Boyle was observing traffic in Chicopee on Route 90 in Hamden County shortly before midnight on Tuesday, Aug. 24 to monitor an active construction zone that was fully closed to traffic, police said.

While on patrol, police said that Boyle observed a Jeep Wrangler approaching his position driving inside of the construction zone, then abruptly swerving back into the active travel lane. He proceeded to catch up to the Jeep and further noticed that the registration expired last January, prompting a traffic stop near exit 51.

During the subsequent stop, Boyle found a rifle in the backseat of the Jeep in plain sight, and it was later determined that the driver, Christian Avila, age 29, of Springfield, who does not have a license to carry firearms was illegally in possession of the weapon, which he claimed was an air rifle.

Police said that Boyle inspected the firearm and discovered it was in fact a real rifle, loaded with a round in the chamber ready to fire. Boyle then discovered three additional 9mm pistols in the back seat with the serial numbers shaved off.

Avila was placed under arrest and further investigation led to the seizure of an additional AR-15 style 5.56mm upper receiver, along with numerous rounds of various caliber ammunition, including numerous spent shell casings. Troopers also located a total of seven bottles of prescription medication and over $4,000 in cash

Avila was charged with:

Negligent operation of a motor vehicle in a construction zone;
Marked lane violations;
Operating an unregistered motor vehicle;
Possession of a Class B drug with intent to distribute;
Possession of a large capacity feeding device;
Four counts of possession of ammunition without FID card;
Four counts of carrying a loaded firearm;
Four counts of illegal possession of a firearm;
Possession of a large capacity weapon in the commission of a felony;
Three counts of possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony.

Bail for Avila was set at $10,000. He was arraigned at Chicopee District Court.

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