Rochester Man With Prior Felonies Busted With Gun During Traffic Stop

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- A man with a violent past was busted with a firearm during a recent traffic stop in Rochester. 

See Also: Rochester Man Accused of Child Sex Assault 

The criminal complaint, filed in Olmsted County Court on Thursday, says Rochester police made the traffic stop on Monday. 

An officer stopped the vehicle because it did not have license plates, the court document says. 

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The officer also saw an open package of cannabis and learned the driver had a canceled driving status, the charges say.  

Rochester Police Seize Gun from Man With Prior Violent Crime Convictions During Traffic Stop

32-year-old Keith Marcus West Jr. of Rochester is charged with felon in possession of a firearm, gross misdemeanor driving after cancellation inimical to public safety and misdemeanor possession of open cannabis in a motor vehicle. 

The court document says the officer’s sighting of the cannabis led to a search of the vehicle. During the search the officer discovered a black Taurus handgun in the center council of the vehicle. 

See Also: Rochester Police Ask for Public's Help with Finding Missing Man 

West denied owning the gun claiming it belonged to someone who is named in the complaint but not charged in the case, the court document says. 

West was taken to the Olmsted County Jail where the officer seized his phone and began searching through photos.

The officer found a video of West with an injured face holding a gun that appeared to match the firearm seized during the traffic stop, according to the complaint. 

Court records indicate West was convicted in a 2018 robbery case and a 2016 second-degree assault case. 

West is being held on $500,000 bail with no conditions. He is due back in court next month.