A man who is a convicted felon faces felony weapons charges after deputies say they found him with a gun and a knife during a traffic stop in East Naples on Thursday night.Eric James Edwards, 25, 5741 Painted Leaf Lane, Golden Gate, was arrested and charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, carrying a concealed firearm and carrying a concealed weapon.
Arrest reports say Edwards was a passenger in a white Buick that was traveling west on U.S. 41 East near Commercial Drive when deputies conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle shortly before midnight.
Further investigation by deputies found that Edwards is on inmate release status for a previous burglary charge and is a convicted felon, reports said.
Deputies asked Edwards if they could search him and he consented. Deputies found a 4-inch knife under his shirt and a .25 caliber pistol in a leather holster concealed in the small of his back, reports said. Edwards is not allowed to possess a firearm due to his convicted felon status, reports said.
A search of the vehicle revealed a black magazine with eight .25-caliber rounds inside the glove compartment, reports said.
Deputies arrested Edwards and booked him into the Collier County jail, reports said.
