A man found passed out in his vehicle in Pottsville earlier this month is now facing a felony gun charge.
According to police in the city, just shy of noon on Nov. 19, officers were called to a report of two individuals unconscious in a vehicle along Woodglen Rd.
Witnesses reportedly told police that the two individuals were seen inside a nearby office before they got to the vehicle and lost consciousness.
Police found the vehicle at the Dunkin’ location in Westwood. The person in the driver’s seat, William Rowland, 26, of Hamburg, Berks County, was incoherent, police say.
Rowland was taken into custody at the scene.
During their investigation, police say they recovered a loaded .25-caliber chrome Lorcin handgun between the driver’s seat and the door. Police say one round was in the chamber and another in the magazine when it was recovered.
Rowland, police say, is not permitted to own a firearm due to a prior conviction.
He is now facing felony charges of illegal gun possession and carrying a gun without a license.
Rowland was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge James Reiley and is being held at Schuylkill County Prison on $20,000 bail.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article has been updated with Rowland’s age listed on court documents. In a follow-up story from a prior incident, it’s also noted that Rowland has or had an Auburn address.
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