Illegal window tint traffic stops lead to multiple arrests by Massachusetts State Police

Massachusetts State Police Troopers in Troop H, which covers Boston and its metropolitan area, took two more illegally possessed guns off the streets overnight, both of which were found after Troopers pulled over vehicles for having window tint darker than what is legally allowed. One of the firearms was a “ghost gun,” a gun built out of parts or a kit, often obtained online, that is not traceable.

At about 11:50 p.m. Wednesday, Trooper John Jakobowski, assigned to the State Police-Tunnels Barracks, was on patrol on Massachusetts Avenue in Boston when he saw a gray 2011 Nissan Maxima with no front plate and window tinting that appeared to be darker than what is legally allowed. Trooper Jakobowski pulled the car over on the Mass. Ave. Extension.

While speaking to the driver, a 19-year-old female from Brockton, Trooper Jakobowski observed a bullet on the floor of the car at her feet. The driver and her 17-year-old male passenger, neither of whom have a license to carry a firearm or a Firearm Identification Card, were removed from the vehicle and Troopers Jakobowski and Frederick Rockett, who responded to assist, searched the car.

Troopers located a loaded handgun in the Maxima’s center console. An inspection of the gun revealed it to be a “ghost gun” loaded with a 9mm round in the chamber and six more in the magazine. Further investigation revealed that the gun belonged to the 17-year-old passenger, who is also from Brockton, and that the driver had no knowledge it was in the vehicle.

After the vehicle was secured, an inspection of the windows revealed them to be tinted to 12 percent, an illegal level. (Tint level below 35 percent is illegal in Massachusetts.)

The passenger, who at 17 is considered a juvenile under state law, was arrested on the following charges:

Possession of a firearm without an FID card;
Possession of ammunition without an FID card;
Illegal possession/carrying of a firearm;
Improper storage of a large capacity firearm; and
Failure to report an unauthorized firearm.
After being booked at the Tunnels Barracks, he was transported to a youth detention facility to be held for arraignment in Boston Juvenile Court.

The driver was cited for illegal window obstruction and a plate violation.

About two hours later, at 1:52 a.m., Trooper Edmond Gendreau, assigned to the State Police-Milton Barracks, was on patrol on Blue Hill Avenue in Boston. At the intersection with River Street, he saw a white Honda Accord with extremely dark tint on all its windows, including the windshield, stopped at a red light.

Trooper Gendreau got behind the Accord and conducted a stop on Blue Hill Avenue (Route 138) in Milton. He identified the driver and lone occupant as Paul Jacobs, 26, of Dorchester. Further investigation revealed that Jacobs possessed a learner’s permit, but no driver’s license, and that the learner’s permit had been suspended earlier this month. Trooper Gendreau removed Jacobs from the vehicle so he could perform an inventory of the car prior to its being towed.

During the tow inventory of the Accord’s trunk, Trooper Gendreau found a shoe box. Inside the shoe box, within a white sock, was a black and purple Ruger LC9s 9mm pistol. Trooper Gendreau then determined that Jacobs did not have a license to carry and placed him into custody.

An inspection of the Ruger revealed it had a 9mm round in the chamber and seven more in the magazine. Further investigation revealed that the gun had been reported stolen in Elbert County, Georgia in August 2020.

Jacobs was booked at the State Police-South Boston Barracks on the following charges:

Possession of a firearm without an FID card;
Illegal possession/carrying of a loaded firearm;
Improper storage of a firearm; and
Receiving stolen property.

Jacobs was additionally cited for operating a motor vehicle after suspension and illegal window obstruction. A bail clerk ordered him held on $5,040 cash bail pending arraignment in Quincy District Court.