A Jay man was arrested for possession of weapon March 25 during a routine traffic stop after law enforcement discovered the man was a convicted felon and had a firearm in the vehicle.
Theron Douglas Godwin, 76, Fawndale Drive, was traveling eastbound on Highway 4 in a Chevrolet Silverado when a Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office deputy traveling westbound noticed a missing passenger tail light and pulled Godwin over, according to a Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office report.
The report said Godwin began moving items in his vehicle to his passenger seat and attempted to exit the vehicle as the deputy was preparing to make contact. The deputy ordered Godwin to remain in the vehicle.
When the deputy approached the vehicle, Godwin informed the deputy he was just released from prison and was on federal probation for 8 years for 'growing his own smoke' and 'having firearms'. Another deputy on the scene advised there was a Bridge single shot 12 gauge shotgun next to Godwin, the report said. Deputies searched the vehicle and found a hunting vest which contained 6 shotgun shells, the report said.
Godwin was arrested and transported to Santa Rosa County Jail on $20,000 bond.
