Newark – A reputed Crips street gang member was arraigned today on multiple weapons and drug charges following his arrest Thursday night by Essex County sheriff’s detectives.

Sheriff Armando Fontoura stated that plainclothes detectives from his department’s Bureau of Narcotics were conducting quality of life operations in the area of Frelinghuysen Avenue and Center Terrace in Newark yesterday evening when the observed a 2015 Hyundai Accent traveling at a high rate of speed and in a careless manner.

“Our BON officers pulled the suspect vehicle over and ordered the driver, later identified as David Butler, 29 of Irvington, out of the car when they spotted a marijuana cigarette on the center console,” Sheriff Fontoura said.  “While retrieving the narcotics our officers noticed the grip of a handgun protruding from underneath the front passenger’s seat.”

The sheriff’s detectives recovered a fully loaded, 9mm, Steyr Mannlicher semi-automatic handgun.  Butler was also found to be in possession of one Xanax tablet.

Butler was charged with the unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a  weapon by a convicted felon, and two counts of possession of a controlled dangerous substance.  The suspect was also issued summonses for careless driving and possession of CDS in a motor vehicle.

At today’s arraignment, Butler was ordered held at the county jail in lieu of $100,000 cash bond only.