(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
SOMERS, Wis. – A 36-year-old Racine man was charged Thursday with concealing a stolen firearm and carrying a concealed weapon following a routine traffic stop that led to the discovery of a loaded handgun.
(Kenosha County Sheriff)
Jovanta J. Dotson appeared in court the same day the charges were filed. Court Commissioner William Michel II ordered a $1,000 cash bail. A preliminary hearing is set for August 13.
Dotson was pulled over by a Kenosha County Sheriff’s deputy around 10:28 a.m. on August 6 in the 900 block of Highway 31. According to the criminal complaint, Deputy Manuel Mandujano noticed Dotson’s white Mercedes-Benz had no front license plate and a suspended registration due to unpaid parking tickets.
Dotson admitted during the stop that he was driving on a suspended license, had no vehicle insurance, and was aware his registration was suspended. When asked if there were any weapons in the vehicle, Dotson nodded and pointed to the glove box, where deputies later found a loaded Sig Sauer 9mm handgun. The firearm was dirty and the serial number initially obscured by debris.
After cleaning the weapon, deputies learned the gun had been reported stolen in 2022. Dotson allegedly refused to answer questions about where he obtained it. He also did not have a valid concealed carry license.
In addition to the felony and misdemeanor firearm charges, Dotson was cited for Operating While Suspended, Operating After Revocation or Suspension of Registration, Operating a Motor Vehicle Without Insurance, and Failure to Display Vehicle License Plates.
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2 Responses
Wow, Racine’s finest.