Holmes Beach police officers arrested a Bradenton resident May 4 on a third-degree felony charge for grand theft of a firearm.
An officer stopped David Matute-Sorto, 23, due to a broken passenger-side headlight and smelled marijuana from inside the vehicle.
The driver, Matute-Sorto, gave the officer a marijuana cigarette from a cup holder.
The officer then saw a handgun in a cup holder in the back seat. He detained Matute-Sorto and secured the firearm — which had been reported stolen — before calling for backup.
Matute-Sorto said he recently purchased the vehicle and didn’t know what was inside, including the firearm. He said he had been stopped by Florida Highway Patrol officers who he claimed found the weapon during a vehicle search and allowed him to keep it.
Holmes Beach police reported they couldn’t verify his story.
The officers also issued citations for driving with a broken headlight and for possessing marijuana without a medical marijuana license.
An officer transported Matute-Sorto to the Manatee County jail, where he was released the same day after posting $1,500 bond.
Officers confiscated the firearm, ammunition and marijuana and placed them in evidence.
A third-degree felony charge can carry up to 5-year prison and/or probation sentences, as well as a $5,000 fine.