NORTHAMPTON — A Springfield, Vermont, man is facing a series of weapons, drug and traffic charges after state troopers allegedly found a handgun and knife, as well as what appeared to be crack cocaine and crystal meth, inside his unregistered motor vehicle during a traffic stop on Interstate 91 earlier this month, police said.
Jeffrey Baird, 41, was arrested just before 2 a.m. on Dec. 22 on the interstate north of Exit 23 on charges of trafficking in methamphetamine, possession of a class B drug, subsequent offense, possession of a firearm in commission of a felony, illegal possession of a firearm, illegal possession of ammunition, possession of ammunition without an FID card, operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license, operating an unregistered motor vehicle and operating a motor vehicle with a license plate violation, police said.
Baird was stopped by troopers assigned to the Northampton barracks, after they observed a red Mercury sedan, with no license plates, traveling north. When the vehicle was pulled over, the troopers observed a piece of paper, with the license plate number handwritten on it, attached to the rear window. But Baird wasn’t able to produce a driver’s license or registration, police said.
Prior to the vehicle being towed from the scene, police found a .357 caliber revolver, along with five rounds of ammunition, and a spring-loaded knife. There were also numerous pieces of drug paraphernalia, about 10 grams of a substance suspected to be crack cocaine and about 210 grams of a substance suspected to be crystal meth. Finally, a large amount of money and an additional three rounds of ammunition were found.
Bail was set at $100,000 and Baird was transferred to the Hampshire County House of Correction pending his arraignment in Northampton District Court.