2 men held without bail on firearm charges in Salem
Two men, including one member of the Army Reserves, are facing multiple firearm charges after referencing police shootings to officers during a traffic stop Tuesday morning while carrying two unlicensed weapons, according to the Essex District Attorney’s office.
Kelvin Mendoza, 26, of Fitchburg, and Emanuel Rodriguez-Shonyo, 25, of Salem, are charged with carrying a loaded large capacity firearm without a license, carrying a loaded firearm without a license, two counts of possession of ammunition without an FID card, possession of Class C drugs, improper storage of a large capacity firearm, and improper storage of a firearm, authorities said. Mendoza, who is on active duty with the Army Reserves, is additionally charged with improper operation of a motor vehicle, according to the DA’s office.
On Tuesday morning, Mendoza and Rodriguez-Shonyo were stopped while driving the wrong way down a one-way after police also observed them possibly participating in a narcotics deal. When officers pulled Mendoza over, he allegedly became hostile, referencing police shootings and ignoring police orders telling him not to reach under his seat.
While searching Mendoza’s vehicle, police found a loaded handgun under the driver’s seat and a loaded large capacity rifle in a bag between the front seats, according to the DA’s office. Authorities said that neither man had a license to carry the weapons, and they were arrested.
Police also found that Rodriguez-Shonyo had an app on his phone with access to the Salem police scanner, which authorities say was likely open before the traffic stop.
Both men were arraigned Tuesday in Salem District Court. They have been held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing August 10.
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