LA PORTE COUNTY, Ind. – A traffic stop on U.S. 20 led to the arrests of two people Feb. 1, the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office reported.

At 5:56 p.m. Monday, a La Porte County Deputy was traveling westbound in the 1200 west block of U.S. 20 when she observed a vehicle in front of her with an alleged license plate violation.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, the deputy initiated a traffic stop at the intersection of U.S. 20 and S.R. 39 and identified the driver of the vehicle as a wanted person by the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Office for alleged Possession of a Firearm by a Felon.

The driver of the vehicle was immediately taken into custody.

As the deputy continued the traffic stop, circumstances caused officials to believe criminal activity was occurring, leading to a vehicle search, reports said.

According to officials, after removing the other passengers and searching the vehicle, a loaded 9mm pistol was recovered in the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

Following the search, a rear-seat passenger was taken into custody.

The driver, 28-year-old Damien Wilson of Elkhart, remains in the La Porte County Jail and will eventually be extradited to Elkhart County.

The rear-seat passenger, 26-year-old Andrew Blash of Michigan City, remains in the La Porte County Jail for the alleged charge of Serious Violent Felon in Possession of a Firearm.