A 31-year-old Miami man was arrested Sunday night in the Florida Keys after deputies found a loaded handgun inside his vehicle during a traffic stop, according to law enforcement officials.
Joseph Pagan Vazquez was taken into custody around 10:40 p.m. on July 19, 2026, after deputies pulled over the Mercedes he was driving on U.S. 1 near 33rd Street in Marathon. Authorities said the stop was initiated because the car’s window tinting appeared to be darker than legally permitted.
During the interaction, Vazquez informed deputies that a firearm was inside the vehicle. Officers located a loaded .380-caliber Glock handgun near the center console, within reach of the driver’s seat.
As a convicted felon, Vazquez is legally prohibited from possessing a firearm. He was charged with possession of a weapon or ammunition by a convicted felon.
Additionally, Vazquez was charged with driving with a suspended license. According to records, he has three prior convictions for the same offense, including recent convictions in September 2025 and January 2026.
Vazquez was transported to jail without incident. No injuries were reported, and a passenger in the Mercedes was neither arrested nor charged.
READ: Man On Probation Arrested After Spitting At Polk Deputy, Attacking Woman In Lakeland
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