NEWS

New Mexico man, woman arraigned on gun charges

Eric Lagatta
Reporter

ZANESVILLE — A New Mexico man and woman who authorities said were arrested in Dresden with illegal guns appeared in court Wednesday for arraignment.

Ginger A. Maurer and TeaJay D. Johnson each pleaded not guilty to one count of improper handling of a firearm in a motor vehicle, a fourth-degree felony.

Johnson, 58, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, also pleaded not guilty to a third-degree weapons charge. He is being held on a $100,000 bond.

Maurer, 34, who is homeless, is being on a $50,000 bond.

Maurer and Johnson were arrested after midnight on Aug. 19 in Dresden after police pulled over their car. After searching the vehicle, authorities reportedly found a .45 caliber handgun belonging to Maurer and an AR-15 belonging to Johnson, according to the Muskingum County Sheriff’s Office.

Johnson, the alleged driver, reportedly had no license and his vehicle’s tags were expired.

Detectives investigating the case learned that another wanted New Mexico man was in the county. They then located Timothy J. Amende at a nearby motel, and, after a brief standoff, arrested him. He was then extradited to New Mexico.

elagatta@zanesvilletimesrecorder.com

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Twitter: @EricLagatta