NEWARK, DE — A Philadelphia resident has been arrested by the Delaware State Police on felony gun charges following a traffic stop in Newark. The man, identified as 32-year-old Christian Smith, was apprehended by detectives from the New Castle County Governor’s Task Force.
The arrest occurred around 1:59 a.m. on November 15, 2023, during patrols in an area of Churchmans Road in Newark. The criminal complaint alleges that detectives noticed a dark-colored Jeep Cherokee with a Pennsylvania registration entering the parking lot of Royal Farms located at 457 Stanton Christiana Road. An inquiry revealed the registration to be fictitious.
As detectives prepared to approach the vehicle, Smith exited the SUV and entered the Royal Farms store. Despite initially ignoring verbal commands from the detectives, he was apprehended after attempting to flee towards a wooded area behind the building. A taser was utilized to bring him into custody.
An inventory search of the Jeep led to the alleged discovery of a magazine with multiple rounds. A loaded handgun was also found hidden behind a cardboard box where Smith had been standing inside the store.
Upon further investigation, it was revealed that Smith is a convicted felon, prohibiting him from possessing a firearm or ammunition. He was taken to Troop 2 and charged with numerous crimes, including possession of a firearm by a person previously convicted of two violent felonies, possession of ammunition by a person prohibited, carrying a concealed firearm, resisting arrest, and fictitious or canceled registration.
Smith was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 11 and committed to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on a $42,100 cash bond.
Information, a criminal complaint, or an arrest is not a declaration of guilt. A suspect, arrestee, or defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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