David Butler of Irvington was arrested in Newark Thursday night, officials said.
Butler has been arrested at least nine times in Essex County, records show. (Essex County Corrections)NEWARK -- A convicted felon was arraigned Friday after authorities found a loaded gun hidden in his car, authorities said.
According to a release from Essex County Sheriff Armando Fontoura, undercover detectives pulled David Butler over Thursday night after his 2015 Hyundai Accent was speeding and driving recklessly near Frelinghuysen Avenue and Center Terrace in Newark.
Sheriff's officers spotted a marijuana cigarette in the car, and a handgun grip sticking out from underneath the front passenger seat, Fontoura said. The gun, authorities said, was found to be a fully-loaded 9mm Steyr Mannlicher semi-automatic handgun.
A Xanax tablet was also found in the car, authorities said.
Butler, 29, of Irvington, was arrested on unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, and possession of a controlled dangerous substance charges, Fontoura said.
Though details on Butler's previous conviction were not immediately available, records indicate he has been arrested at least eight other times in Essex County on various drug and weapons charges. Fontoura said Butler is a "reputed Crips street gang member."
Butler is being held at the Essex County jail on $100,000 cash bond, authorities said.
Jessica Mazzola may be reached at jmazzola@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @JessMazzola. Find NJ.com on Facebook.