(Michigan City, IN) - Two men are charged with having a stolen handgun recovered during a traffic stop by Indiana State Police in Michigan City.

 

Matthew Turner and Dewain Hernandez, both 23, are each charged in La Porte Superior Court 1 with Level 5 felony possession of a stolen firearm.

 

According to court documents, a state trooper was traveling behind the men Tuesday night in the area of 400 North and Ohio St.

 

The men were in a vehicle that had already crossed the center line several times before coming to an abrupt stop in the middle of the roadway.

 

Police said the trooper detected a strong smell of marijuana coming from the vehicle and found the handgun underneath the front passenger seat.

 

A computer check of the serial numbers revealed the gun was reported stolen in Michigan City.

 

According to police, both men each accepted responsibility for the gun but gave conflicting stories.  

 

The Michigan City men could each face anywhere from a one to six year sentence.