TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS LEAD TO RECOVERY OF THREE GUNS ON I-81

(HAGERSTOWN, MD) – A Pennsylvania man was arrested and three guns were recovered from his car after a Maryland state trooper observed him talking on a hand-held phone with no hands on the steering wheel, as he drove on I-81 in Washington County yesterday.

The accused is identified as Scott C. Smartt, 51, of Needmore, PA. He is charged with illegally transporting a handgun in a vehicle and possession of an assault weapon. He was also charged on traffic citations with not wearing a seat belt and using a hand-held phone. He was taken to the Washington County central booking facility for processing and his initial appearance before a court commissioner.

Shortly after 2:00 p.m. yesterday, a trooper and his cadet who are assigned to the Maryland State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division were patrolling on I-81 near Halfway Blvd. The trooper saw a driver and only occupant, later identified as Smartt, driving a Lincoln while using a hand-held cell phone. Smartt was not wearing a seat belt and he had no hands on the steering wheel.

After stopping the car, the trooper saw a handgun in the glove box of the vehicle when Smartt was searching for the registration. Smartt was ordered out of the car and arrested without incident. During a subsequent search of the car, troopers found a second handgun in the driver’s side door, along with a chemical spray and a set of brass knuckles. In the trunk of the car, troopers found an AK-47-style rifle, with a 30-round magazine. The rifle was unloaded, but ammunition for it was also found in the trunk. The gun found in the glove box was loaded. The gun in the driver’s door was not loaded.

None of the firearms were reported stolen. State Police firearms investigators will be conducting a follow up investigation.