A traffic stop in Hopkinsville Thursday afternoon led to drug and gun charges.

Hopkinsville Police pulled over 47-year old Sean Pernestti of the city on Highpoint Drive around 1pm for an expired temporary tag. Pernestti was asked to step out of the vehicle and that’s when officers say they saw a loaded handgun where he had been sitting.

A K9 unit was called to the scene and allegedly alerted on the vehicle, with officers then allegedly finding methamphetamine and marijuana in the vehicle in addition to two boxes of Claritin and other paraphernalia.

Pernestti was arrested and charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a handgun by a convicted felon and driving on an expired tag.

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02/22/2013/am