A Jefferson City man has been charged in connection with a weapons offense that occurred Wednesday morning.
Terry Simms, 39, is charged with unlawful possession of a firearm, receiving stolen property, unlawful use of a weapon and fourth-degree assault.
Members of the Jefferson City Police Department’s community action team were patrolling the area of the 700 block of Madison Street when the victim in this case contacted officers claiming a person had displayed a gun in a threatening matter toward him, according to a JCPD probable cause statement.
The victim pointed to Simms, who was standing nearby, as the person who had done this.
An officer ordered Simms and another person to show their hands and lie on the ground. Officers reported they could see Simms attempting to pass off an item to the other person. Officers then saw a handgun fall to the ground and placed Simms under arrest.
Simms was searched and allegedly found to be in possession of a weapons magazine loaded with 16 rounds. Authorities said it matched the firearm, a Smith and Wesson 9mm, that was recovered at the scene. A check of the serial number on the firearm showed the gun had been reported stolen Oct. 5 in Jefferson City.
The victim reported he had been involved in an earlier disturbance with Simms and claimed Simms had approached him in a parking lot in the 700 block of Madison Street, where they began to argue, and Simms eventually opened his jacket to reveal the firearm.
A witness told police he had been trying to separate Simms and the victim, and Simms had attempted to conceal the firearm with him when he saw officers were coming.