Driver tased in Massachusetts during attempted traffic stop; sawed off gun, drugs found

OXFORD, Mass. (WWLP) – A driver was tased by police during an attempted traffic stop in Oxford.

According to the Massachusetts State Police, on May 28th at around 11:10 p.m. a trooper saw a black BMW dragging part of its engine undercarriage on Route 12 in Oxford. In an attempt to conduct a traffic stop, the driver turned onto Carron Lane and continued driving. Carron Lane is a looped road with only one point of exit so the trooper turned off the cruiser’s blue lights to await the return of the vehicle.

As the BMW approached the cruiser, the trooper attempted to pull the vehicle over by blocking the roadway. The trooper approached the vehicle and ordered the driver, 35-year-old Ryan Christian of Dudley out of the vehicle. However, the trooper saw Christian attempt to place the vehicle in reverse. The trooper was able to open the driver’s door and use his taser as well as controlling techniques to subdue Christian.

During the altercation, the passenger, later identified as 24-year-old Samantha Sweeny of Webster, got out of the vehicle. As Christian was being handcuffed, Sweeny was reaching back into the BMW moving items on the passenger side. Sweeny was placed in handcuffs and Christian was taken by EMS to a hospital in Oxford.

The vehicle was searched and police seized the following:

  • Knotted bags containing more than 12 grams of fentanyl
  • Knotted bag containing over 45 grams of cocaine
  • Several suboxone tabs
  • More than 13 grams of crack cocaine
  • Prescription medications belonging to an unknown party
  • Three knives
  • Forty-seven loose .22 caliber bullets
  • Sawed-off shotgun
  • Loaded magazine
  • Fifty 12-guage slugs
  • .22 caliber short barrel rifle with a spent casing still in the chamber
  • Drug paraphernalia
  • Digital scale

Both occupants do not have a license to carry a firearm.

Ryan Christian was charged with the following:

  • Resisting Arrest
  • Conspiracy To Violate Drug Law
  • Trafficking In Fentanyl
  • Trafficking In Cocaine
  • Possession Of A Firearm
  • Possession Of A Sawed-off Shotgun
  • Possession Of Ammunition Without FID
  • Possession Of A Firearm During A Felony
  • Fail To Stop For Police
  • Negligent Operation Of A Motor Vehicle
  • Operation Of A Motor Vehicle With Suspended License
  • Operation Of A Motor Vehicle While Suspended For OUI
  • Unlicensed Operation
  • Possession To Distribute Class B Drug – Subsequent Offence (Two Counts)
  • Assault With A Motor Vehicle
  • Firearm Violation With 3 Prior Drug Crimes
  • Failure To Wear Seatbelt

Samantha Sweeny was charged with the following:

  • Resisting Arrest
  • Conspiracy To Violate Drug Law
  • Trafficking In Fentanyl
  • Trafficking In Cocaine
  • Possession Of A Firearm
  • Possession Of A Sawed-off Shotgun
  • Possession Of Ammunition Without FID
  • Possession Of A Firearm During A Felony
  • Interfering With A Police Officer
  • Possession To Distribute Class B Drug
  • Possession Of Class B Drug
  • Possession Of Class E Drug
  • Carrying A Dangerous Weapon

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