Cedar Rapids man accused of trafficking stolen gun

CEDAR RAPIDS - A Cedar Rapids man is accused of trafficking stolen weapons.

According to the Linn County Attorney's Office, 20-year-old Ashten D. Hilliard was a passenger in a vehicle pulled over in Cedar Rapids on Monday for a traffic violation. Police said Hilliard had marijuana on him.

A search of the vehicle turned up a satchel in the back seat containing items belonging to Hilliard, as well as a loaded .45 caliber handgun. Authorities said the handgun was reported stolen from a pawnshop in Jackson, Tenn.

Hilliard was arrested and has been charged with trafficking in stolen weapons, a Class C felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison, and carrying weapons, an aggravated misdemeanor punishable by up to two years in prison.