MANCHESTER, NH – James Philippe, 36, of Manchester, was arrested Nov. 8 following a routine traffic stop, and now faces felony gun and drug charges.
Officers Jeff Fierimonte and Alexandros Hondros conducted a motor vehicle stop at 6:10 p.m.on Nov. 8 in the area of Central and Beech streets. The officers observed a white Ford Escape fail to use a turn signal while turning on to Maple Street.
The officers approached the vehicle, and immediately noticed a strong odor of burnt marijuana emanating from the vehicle. The driver, later identified as Philippe, exited the vehicle while consenting to a search.
Officers located a loaded Taurus .380 handgun and a prescription bottle filled with various drugs inside of his vehicle.
The prescription container had the following inside: 13 – 30 mg mirtazapine pills; 26-10 mg citalopram pills; and three capsules containing a brown powder which tested presumptive positive for heroin. Philippe was convicted of a felony in the past so he is prohibited from owning or possessing firearms.
As a result, he was charged with convicted felon in possession of a firearm; carrying a firearm without a license; possession of a controlled drug; and two counts possession of a prescription drug. He was scheduled to appear in the 9th Circuit Court-Manchester on November 9, 2016.
