Damonie S. Benjamin, 23, of Rochester, was arrested for a violent felony offense following a traffic stop on Route 20A at Short street in the Village of Warsaw on February 4, 2021. The traffic stop took place pursuant to infractions initially observed on Route 20A at Merchant Road in the Town of Warsaw.
Benjamin was the driver of the vehicle which was stopped for an entirely tinted front windshield. During the traffic stop, a strong odor of burned marijuana was observed coming from within the vehicle. Benjamin initially produced a fraudulent identification, however he was eventually found to be driving with a non-driver identification card with 16 active suspensions.
There were two passengers inside the vehicle with Benjamin, and all exhibited signs of drug impairment. A subsequent vehicle search led to the discovery of a marijuana blunt, marijuana paraphernalia, and other illicit drug related paraphernalia.
During the vehicle search, Wyoming County Sheriff’s Deputies located and seized a loaded Smith & Wesson .38 caliber handgun which was inside a hidden compartment within the dashboard.
Following the investigation, Benjamin was arrested for possession of the handgun, and his passengers were released from custody. Benjamin was also found to have a felony conviction in 2017. His vehicle was towed from the scene, and Benjamin was taken to the Wyoming County Sheriff’s Office where he was charged as follows:
Criminal possession of a weapon 2nd degree, a class C violent felony, criminal impersonation 2nd degree, aggravated unlicensed operation 2nd degree, unlicensed operation, non-transparent windshield, and non-transparent side windows
Benjamin was arraigned in front of the Honorable Michael Mohun of Wyoming County Court. Representatives from the Wyoming County District Attorney’s Office and Wyoming County Public Defender’s Office were also present for the arraignment. Benjamin was committed to the Wyoming County Jail in lieu of $20,000.00 cash bail, $40,000.00 bond, or $60,000.00 partially secured bond.
He is scheduled for further court proceedings on February 22, 2021 in Wyoming County Court. Warsaw Police Officers assisted at the scene.
On February 3, 2021 at approximately 11:51p.m., a deputy from the Wyoming County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on Route 20A in the Village of Warsaw, after observing a violation of the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law.
The operator of the vehicle was identified as Keith Mosley Jr., 22, of Bayonne, NJ. During an investigation, the deputy observed several factors consistent with criminal activity and obtained probable cause to search the vehicle.
The search yielded approximately 4.3 ounces of marijuana and Mosley was arrested and charged with criminal possession of marijuana 4th Degree.
He was issued an appearance ticket and is scheduled to appear in the Village of Warsaw Court at a later date.