Delaware Man Faces Serious Gun, DWI Charges After NY Stop
State Police say a Thruway traffic stop in Rockland County led to the discovery of a loaded handgun and multiple felony weapons charges.
A Delaware man DWI arrest on the New York State Thruway resulted in several felony weapons charges after State Police said troopers discovered a loaded semi-automatic handgun during an Aug. 5 traffic stop in Orangetown. The case also highlights an issue travelers can easily overlook: firearm laws that may differ significantly when crossing state lines.
New York State Police identified the driver as Kellin Patrick Sweeney, 30, of Wilmington, Delaware. Police said he was arrested by members of Troop T, State Police Tarrytown and the Troop F Bureau of Criminal Investigation.
The charges are accusations. Sweeney is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
What State Police Say Happened
According to State Police, troopers saw a 2015 Toyota Camry traveling northbound on Interstate 87 in Orangetown shortly before 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 5. Police said the vehicle was allegedly violating state vehicle and traffic laws, prompting troopers to conduct a traffic stop.
During the investigation, troopers reported finding a loaded .40-caliber semi-automatic handgun with a 15-round magazine inside the vehicle. Sweeney was then taken into custody and transported to State Police Tarrytown for processing, according to the agency.
Police reported that Sweeney later registered a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08%. New York’s Department of Motor Vehicles identifies a BAC of .08% or higher as the threshold for Driving While Intoxicated for most noncommercial drivers.
Sweeney Faces Multiple Charges
State Police said Sweeney was charged with:
- Second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, a felony
- Third-degree criminal possession of a weapon involving an ammunition feeding device, a felony
- Criminal possession of a firearm, a felony
- Operating a motor vehicle with a BAC of .08% or more, first offense
- Driving while intoxicated, first offense
The most serious weapon allegation listed by police is second-degree criminal possession of a weapon.
Under current New York Penal Law, criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree is a Class C felony. State law includes possession of certain loaded firearms outside a person’s home or place of business among circumstances that can fall under that statute, subject to exemptions and the specific facts of a case.
New York law also makes possession of a qualifying large-capacity ammunition feeding device an offense under the state’s third-degree criminal possession of a weapon statute. That offense is classified as a Class D felony.
The exact application of those laws to Sweeney’s case will ultimately be determined through the court process.
Bail Set Following Arrest
State Police said Sweeney was remanded to the Rockland County Jail in lieu of:
- $5,000 cash bail
- $15,000 bond
- $30,000 partially secured bond
He was scheduled to appear in Orangetown Court on Aug. 11, according to the State Police release issued that same day.
The release did not provide an updated disposition from that court appearance, and no independent court outcome was available in the sources reviewed for this report.
Why Crossing State Lines With a Firearm Matters
State Police used the arrest to remind motorists that gun laws are not uniform across the United States.
“Firearm laws vary from state to state,” State Police said in its release, adding that travelers entering New York are responsible for knowing and following New York law.
That warning is especially relevant for people driving into New York from another state.
A firearm that someone may legally possess elsewhere does not automatically become legal to possess in New York under every circumstance. New York maintains its own statutes governing firearms, loaded weapons, licensing, ammunition feeding devices and exemptions.
Travelers Should Check the Law Before Leaving Home
Anyone transporting a firearm across state lines should verify the laws of every jurisdiction through which they intend to travel.
That means checking issues such as:
- Whether a particular firearm is legal to possess.
- Whether a state license or permit is required.
- How the firearm must be transported or stored.
- Whether ammunition or magazine capacity is restricted.
- Whether an out-of-state permit is recognized.
New York’s laws contain numerous definitions and exemptions, meaning the legality of a particular firearm can depend on circumstances that are more complicated than simply whether it was lawfully purchased in another state.
New York’s .08 DWI Standard
The traffic stop also resulted in DWI allegations.
The New York State DMV says that for most drivers, a BAC of .08% or higher constitutes Driving While Intoxicated under state law. A BAC of .18% or higher falls into the aggravated DWI category.
The DMV also stresses that alcohol can affect judgment and driving ability even before a motorist reaches the .08 threshold.
In this case, State Police reported Sweeney’s BAC as exactly .08%.
A Traffic Stop With Serious Legal Consequences
What began as a reported traffic violation on the New York State Thruway ultimately led to accusations involving both impaired driving and felony firearm possession.
The case demonstrates how routine traffic enforcement can lead to a broader criminal investigation when officers report finding evidence of another alleged offense.
It also carries a practical reminder for interstate travelers: laws can change dramatically at a state border, particularly when firearms are involved. Knowing those laws beforehand can prevent potentially serious legal consequences.
For drivers, the other lesson is simpler. New York considers .08% BAC sufficient for a DWI charge for most motorists, and the safest choice after drinking remains not to drive.
Sweeney’s case will now proceed through the courts, where prosecutors will have the burden of proving the allegations against him.
Sources
- New York State Police, Aug. 11, 2026 press release.
- New York State Senate, Penal Law Sections 265.02 and 265.03.
- New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, alcohol and DWI guidance.
