Traffic stop leads to arrest for possession of firearm by certain persons

On December 2nd, Arkansas State Trooper Seth Smedley observed a blue colored passenger car with an obstructed windshield and a defective tail lamp. Smedley then conducted a traffic stop on this vehicle near Nathan Road. 
As reported, Smedley noticed a rifle laying in the front passenger seat. Trooper Smedley then did an ACIC check on 57 year old Douglas G. Ward of New Hope which showed that Ward had prior felony convictions dating July 7th 2021 and October 12th 2018.
Smedley placed Ward into handcuffs and into the back of his patrol unit. Smedley advised Troop K Dispatch that he had a firearm to check. Troop K Dispatch informed Smedley that it was not stolen. 
It was reported that Smedley advised Troop K Dispatch to send the next on rotation wrecker service to recover the vehicle from his location.
Ward was then transported to the Pike County Sheriff’s Office and was charged with possession of a firearm by certain persons, windshields to be unobstructed, and defective/improper tail lamps and reflectors. The confiscated rifle was entered into Troop K evidence vault.