Crime & Safety
Marion County, OR Traffic Stop Leads to Gun, Brass Knuckles Arrest
Salem, OR – An early morning traffic stop in Marion County led to the arrest of a 44 year old convicted felon after deputies allegedly discovered a loaded firearm and brass knuckles inside a vehicle S
By Claire Benton · 2026-10-13T17:37:55.001Z
Salem, OR – An early morning traffic stop in Marion County led to the arrest of a 44 year old convicted felon after deputies allegedly discovered a loaded firearm and brass knuckles inside a vehicle Sunday, Oct. 12.
According to the Marion County Sheriff 's Office, deputies stopped a vehicle on Hawthorne Avenue SE at approximately 2:15 a.m. During the stop, authorities determined the vehicle did not have insurance and requested a tow.
Deputies reported locating a loaded firearm and brass knuckles inside the vehicle.
The driver, identified as Mark Miller, 44 , was described by authorities as a convicted felon prohibited from possessing firearms.
Miller was taken into custody and booked into the Marion County Jail on allegations of felon in possession of a firearm and felon in possession of a restricted weapon , according to the sheriff's office.
The discovery was among several incidents highlighted in a public social media update from the agency recognizing deputies assigned to overnight patrol shifts.
The sheriff's office shared a photograph showing a handgun, ammunition magazine and brass knuckles associated with the incident.
The traffic stop occurred along Hawthorne Avenue SE in the Salem area, part of Marion County in Oregon's Willamette Valley.
Authorities did not specify what initially prompted deputies to stop the vehicle, beyond reporting the insurance violation discovered during the encounter.
Additional details about the firearm, including its ownership and whether it was connected to any other investigation, were not provided in the announcement.
The sheriff's office also did not release information about Miller's next scheduled court appearance or whether bail had been set.
In its weekend patrol update, the agency thanked deputies working overnight hours for their continued service.
The allegations against Miller have not been proven in court, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.