An Ozark County man, 32-year-old Edward W. Guzik Jr. of Gainesville, is facing eight charges, following a search allegedly revealing a pistol with a illegible serial number, six live rounds of ammo, children’s toys, a pair of brass knuckles, methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.According to the probable cause affidavit filed Monday, Guzik’s arrest follows a traffic stop by an Arkansas State Police trooper first class on the afternoon of Dec. 22.The stop was initiated on Baxter County Road 25 west of Webber Road when the vehicle Guzik was a passenger in was observed speeding and without a rear license plate.
The driver of the vehicle reportedly consented to a search. Guzik reportedly alerted the trooper to an unloaded pistol behind the passenger seat with a serial number plate having been ground to the point it was illegible.
A further search of a gym bag revealed men’s clothing, children’s toys the Gainesville man reportedly said belonged to his kids, a glass smoking device and two bags with white residue, two additional pipes with brown and white residue, a grinder with green residue and other items of drug paraphernalia.
The magazine for the pistol was located in the glove box of the vehicle with six live rounds.
A search of Guzik’s person led to the discovery of a pair of brass knuckles in his pocket.
The Gainesville man was taken into custody and has been charged with felony counts of possession of firearms by certain persons, meaning he is a convicted felon; possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine; simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms; possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a defaced firearm. Guzik also faces misdemeanor counts of criminal use of a prohibited weapon, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
His bond was set at $20,000, and he was released from the Baxter County Detention Center Saturday.
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