A 33-year-old man from Newark, Delaware, has been arrested following a traffic stop in Wilmington where police allegedly discovered a loaded handgun and drugs. The incident occurred during the early morning hours of August 3, 2023, at approximately 12:11 a.m., when an officer on patrol observed a vehicle violating a stop sign at the 900 block of North Church Street.
After initiating the traffic stop, officers made contact with the driver, identified as Lamonte Butler. During the interaction, police reportedly recovered a loaded 9mm handgun featuring a drum-style magazine capable of holding up to 51 rounds. In addition to the firearm, authorities allege that Butler possessed around 31 grams of marijuana and an unspecified amount of narcotic pills.
Following the discovery, Butler was taken into custody without incident. He faces multiple felony charges, including possession of a large-capacity magazine during the commission of a felony, two counts of possession of a firearm or ammunition by a prohibited person, and carrying a concealed deadly weapon. Additionally, he is charged with drug possession and various traffic violations.
Justice of the Peace Court 11 arraigned Butler, who was subsequently committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution with bail set at $30,100 on a cash-only basis. All charges against him remain allegations at this stage, and Butler is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
This incident underscores ongoing concerns regarding gun violence and drug-related offenses in the region. As the case progresses, the Wilmington community and law enforcement agencies will closely monitor developments.
