This incident occurred on January 5th, 2024 in Sarasota, Florida.
Sarasota, FL – A routine traffic stop in Sarasota led to the arrest of Derrick Wright after officers discovered a firearm in the glove compartment of his vehicle. Wright, a convicted felon, was charged with possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, as well as driving with a suspended license.
Traffic Stop and Arrest
On the evening of January 5th, 2024, officers conducted a traffic stop on a gray Chevrolet Malibu at the intersection of 25th Street and North Orange Avenue. The vehicle, driven by Wright, was identified by law enforcement prior to the stop. Officers confirmed through the DAVID database that Wright’s driver’s license had been suspended since January 31, 2022.
Upon approaching the vehicle, officers noted extremely dark window tint, measuring at 11 percent, and observed suspected marijuana shake on the passenger floorboard. Wright denied having any narcotics and stated that he had recently cleaned the vehicle. However, during a subsequent search of the vehicle, officers discovered a semi-automatic firearm in the glovebox, inside a tan canvas gun case. The firearm had a loaded magazine inserted.
Legal Findings and Evidence
Next to the firearm, officers found a birthday card and legal documents with Wright’s name on them, further linking him to possession of the weapon. Wright denied knowledge of the firearm, stating it was his first time driving the vehicle, which belonged to his girlfriend, Allison Harding. Harding later arrived at the scene and confirmed the car had recently been detailed but did not provide verification of a concealed carry permit.
A criminal history check confirmed that Wright is a convicted felon, making it illegal for him to possess a firearm or ammunition. Officers placed all collected evidence into property records, and the incident was captured on body-worn cameras.
Charges and Case Status
Derrick Wright was charged with:
- Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon
- Possession of Ammunition by a Convicted Felon
- Knowingly Driving with a Suspended License
In addition, Wright was issued a Uniform Traffic Citation for the illegal window tint. The case remains active as Wright awaits further legal proceedings.
Authorities emphasize the importance of traffic enforcement in uncovering illegal activity and ensuring public safety within Sarasota.
